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AUTHOR: 


HOUSER,  ABRAM 


TITLE: 


TORY  OF  THE 

CHOP  THE 


P 


DAYTON,  VA.] 


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PRESERVATION  DEPARTMENT 


Master  Negative  # 


BIBLIOGRAPHIC  MICROFORM  TARGET 


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938.99 
Un333 


Funl-diousor,  Abran  Paul,  1853- 

Hi3tory  of  the  church  of  the  United  brethren  in 
ChriGt,  Virginia  conference #  by  •••  A«  ?•  Funk- 
houser  •••  ccnp.  by  Oron  F.  Ilorton  •••  .Dayton, 
Va.,  RuobuGh-r.ieffcr,  lOBlj 

315  p.   port.    r^3c:r.» 


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Abram  Paul   Funkhouser 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH 


OF  THE 


UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST 

VIRGINIA  CONFERENCE 


BY 

REV.  A.  P.  FUNKHOUSER  A.  M.,  D.  D. 

[SEE  NOTE) 

COMPILED  BY 
OREN  F.  MORTON,  B.  Lit. 

"^"oMhel  S  "'■"AV?°*I^"rT?*'!'"  "Winning  or  Losing?"  "Land 
oi  ine  ijaiirel,      A  Practical  History  of  Music"  "Tlip  Sfnr^f  nf 
Daniel  Boone,"  "A  History  of  Preston  Count'y,  W   Va  "  4 
H.Story  of  Pendleton  County.  W.  Va.,""!  History 'of 
Highland  County,  W.  Va.."  "A  History  of  Rock- 
bridge County,"  "Annals  of 
Bath  County,  Va.'' 


» 


Dr.  Funkhouser  died  before  the  work  was  completed.    The 

material  gathered  and  the  language  used  by  the  Author 

have  been  carefully  preserved  by  the  Compiler. 


The  Virginia  Conference  ordered  the  publication  of  this 
H«tory  and  appointed  Drs.  A.  S.  Hammock,  W.  F.  Gruver, 
J.  H  Brunk,  Rev.  J  N.  Fries,  Mr.  W.  I.  Good  and  J.  K. 
Kuebush  as  a  committee  on  publication. 

We  present  to  the  Church  this  HUtory  which  we  re- 
gard  as  of  the  greatest  value  to  the  church,  not  only  of 
to-day  but  of  the  future. 


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Fy  i 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER 

I     Apostolic  Christianity  J)efore  Otterbeiii 
II     William    Otterbein    and    the    German    Reformed 
Church 
Martin  Boehm  and  the  Mennonites 
German  Immigration  in  the  Eighteentli  Centuiy 


III 

IV 

V 


The   Evangelical    Movement    among    }}:l    German 
Immigrants 

VI  Early  Years  of  the  Church 

VII  Planting  the  Church  in  Virginia 

VIII  Extracts  from  Newcomer's  Journal 

IX  The  Early  Preachers 

X  Reminiscences  of  Some  of  the  Early  Preachers 

XI  The  Transition  from  German  to  English 

XII  The  Church  in  the  War  of  1861 

XIII  The  Church  in  Recent  Times 

\TV  Movements  toward  Union  wdth  Other  Churches 

.    XV  Concerning  Slavery  and  Intoxicants 

XVI  Concerning  Secret  Societies 

XVII  List  of  Preachers:  Chronological 

XVIII  List  of  Preachers:  Alphabetical 

XIX  Bishops,  Missionaries,  and  Others 

XX  Biographical  Sketches  of  Ministers 

XXI  Early  Deaths  among  Ministers 

XXII  Church  Dedications 

XXIII  Sketch  of  A.  P.  Funkhouser 

XXIV  The  Church  and  Education 
XXV  The  Virginia  Conference  School 

XXVI  A  Digest  of  the  Conference  Minutes 


11 


iiij 


EDITOR'S  FOREWORD 


fcj 


Tlie  late  A.  P.  Funkhouser  projected  a  book  which,  in 
treating  of  the  Virginia  Conference  of  the  United  Rrethren 
Church,  should  "include  the  origin,  growth,  and  develop- 
ment of  the  Church  within  its  bounds,  and  its  distinctive 
features,  together  with  portraits  and  brief  biographies  of 
many  of  its  ministers."  For  this  purpose  he  gathered  a 
large  and  valuable  store  of  material,  but  did  not  prepare 
a  manuscript  copy  of  the  projected  work.  In  early  May 
of  the  present  year,  the  undersigned  was  asked  by  the 
owner  and  custodians  of  the  collection  to  sui)ply  this  lack. 
In  carrying  out  the  commission  to  compile  a  manuscript, 
the  editor  has  adhered  as  closely  as  practicable  to  the 
topical  plan  found  among  the  papers  mentioned.  He  has 
also  sought  to  put  himself  in  the  place  of  the  expectant 
author.  Hut  iu  constructing  several  of  the  chapters  made 
necessary  by  the  topical  plan  aforesaid,  the  collection 
afforded  little  aid.  Dr.  Funkhouser  could  undoubtedly 
have  written  these  chapters  without  feeling  much  need  for 
documents  and  other  authorities.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
e(Htor  had  never  met  Dr.  Funkhouser,  is  not  himself  of  the 
United  Hrethren,  and  was  not  previously  familiar  with  the 
rise  and  develoi)ment  of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  He 
was  therefore  com|)elled  to  make  large  use  of  source 
material  not  found  in  the  collection.  This  is  why  chapters 
I  to  VII  inclusive,  IX,  XI  to  XVI  inclusive,  and  XXIV  and 
XXV  are,  in  the  main,  of  his  own  authorship.  In  the  quoted 
paragraphs,  without  reference  as  to  source,  that  occur  in 
some  of  these  chapters,  he  has  followed  the  phraseology 
of  Dr.  Funkhouser.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  no 
writer  can  take  up  an  outline  formulated  by  another  crafts- 
man, and  pursue  it  with  the  same  freedom  as  is  possible  to 
the  projector.    Rut  since  the  undertaking  had  to  be  finished 


t 


by  some  one  else,  it  is  hoped  that  the  present  vohinie  will, 
in  at  least  a  fair  measure,  fulfill  the  promise  implied  in  the 
title.  The  books  and  pamphlets  not  found  in  the  collection, 
and  consulted  by  the  editor,  are  these:  "History  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  by  John  Law- 
rence; "Our  Bishops,"  by  H.  A.  Thompson;  "Our  Heroes; 
or  United  Brethren  Home  Missionaries,"  by  W.  M.  Weekley 
and  H.  H.  Font;  "Landmark  History  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church,"  by  13.  Eberly,  I.  H.  Albright,  and  C.  L  B.  Brane; 
"The  German  and  Swiss  Settlements  of  Colonial  Pennsyl- 
vania," by  Oscar  Kuhns;  "The  German  Element  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,"  by  J.  W.  Wayland;  "History  of  Bock- 
ingham  County,  Virginia,"  by  J.  W.  Wayland;  "Origin, 
Doctrine,  Constitution,  and  Discipline  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ  (1841);"  "Life  of  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,"  bv  A. 
W.  Drury;  "Life  of  William  Otterbein,"  by  A.  W.  Drury; 
"Life  of  David  Edwards,"  by  Lewis  Davis;  "Life  and  Career 
of  James  W.  Hott,"  by  M.  B.  Drury;  "Life  and  Journal  of 
Christian  Newcomer,"  edited  by  John  Hildt;  "Michael 
Schlatter  Memorial  Addresses,"  by  J.  E.  Boiler  and  others; 
"Autobiography  of  Peter  Cartwright,"  edited  by  W.  P. 
Strickland;  "History  of  the  Bise  and  Progress  of  the  Bap- 
tists in  Virginia,"  by  B.  B.  Semple;  "Life  of  Jacob  P^achtel," 
by  Z.  Warner;  the  published  Minutes  of  the  Conference, 
1800-1818,  and  1880-1920. 

The  editor  is  much  indebted  to  Mr.  Joseph  K.  Buebush 
for  the  helpful  interest  shown  in  the  undertaking,  partic- 
ularly in  furnishing  authorities  to  supplement  the  data 
gathered  by  Dr.  Funkhouser;  also  to  the  Bev.  J.  E.  Hott 
for  varied  and  valuable  oral  information. 

OBEN  F.  MOBTOX. 
Dayton,  Virginia,  August  29,  1919. 


CHAPTER  I 
APOSTOLIC  CHBISTIANITY  BEFORE  OTTERBEIN 

The  Apostolic  Church  was  the  Christian  organization 
that  existed  from  the  days  of  the  apostles  to  the  so-called 
conversion  of  the  Boman  emperor  Constantine,  a  period 
of  more  than  three  centuries.  There  is  excellent  reason 
for  the  belief  that  it  was  made  up  only  of  converted  men 
and  women,  and  that  its  government  and  worship  were 
very  simple.  There  was  no  liturgy,  neither  were  there  any 
stately  formalities,  or  any  high-sounding  ecclesiastical 
titles.  Whoever  believed  the  Gospel  with  the  heart  and 
made  public  confession  w^as  baptized  and  received  into 
the  church.  He  was  then  one  of  the  brethren,  and  this 
term  was  applied  without  any  discrimination  as  to  wealth 
or  rank.  The  worship  consisted  in  reading  from  the 
Scriptures,  in  sermons  and  exhortations,  in  the  singing  of 
spiritual  songs,  in  the  relations  of  Christian  experience, 
and  in  a  simple  celebration  of  the  ordinances  estabhshed 
bv  Christ. 

During  these  three  centuries  the  primitive  Christian 
Church  was  a  positive  power  and  irresistible  force.  It 
endured  persistent  and  bloody  persecution,  and  yet  it  made 
no  compromse  with  evil.  The  Christian  religion  was 
preached  almost  everywhere,  and  was  rapidly  advancing 
to  a  general  conquest  of  the  world,  although  this  was  tak- 
ing place  without  recourse  to  physical  might. 

In  the  fourth  century  of  the  Christian  era,  the  Boman 
empire  was  still  by  far  the  most  dominant  political  power 
on  earth.  The  emperor  Constantine  accepted  Christianity 
as  a  state  religon.  This  alleged  conversion  is  one  of  the 
greatest  frauds  in  all  human  history.  Political  expediency 
was  undoubtedly  the  commanding  motive  of  this  monarch. 
The  Christian  Church  now  became  popular  and  soon  was 
growing  wealthy.     So  long  as  paganism  was  in  control, 


\ 


♦ 


A, 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


the  grandees  sneered  at  the  Christians.  They  now  created 
high  positions  in  the  Church  for  the  gratification  of  their 
pride  and  power.  Preaching  ceased,  new  and  strange 
doctrines  came  into  vogue,  while  a  petrified  ceremonial, 
elaborate  yet  empty,  took  the  place  of  the  primitive  wor- 
ship. The  Church,  as  it  was  now  constituted,  was  made 
superior  to  the  Bible,  and  to  the  mass  of  the  people  the 
latter  became  an  unknown  book.  This  church  of  the 
Middle  Ages  was  a  veneered  paganism.  It  made  itself  a 
supreme  political  power,  and  as  such  it  was  nothing  less 
than  the  Roman  empire  in  a  new  form.  Yet  even  with 
the  help  of  popes  and  kings,  this  political  church  ceased 
to  expand  and  began  to  retreat.  For  some  time  it  was  in 
great  danger  of  being  overthrown  by  Mohammedanism. 

This  dark  age  in  the  history  of  the  Christian  Churcli 
lasted  many  centuries.  Yet  all  this  while,  there  were  bands 
of  Christians,  sometimes  numerous,  who  maintained  the 
doctrine,  discipline,  and  spirit  of  the  Apostolic  Church. 
Their  Christianity  was  a  living  i)rotest  against  the  cor- 
ruption of  the  papal  system,  which  was  willing  to  tolerate 
no  other  type  than  its  own.  These  ai)ostolic  Christians 
consequently  drew  upon  themselves  the  wratli  of  the 
papacy,  which  was  even  worse  than  that  of  paganism. 

The  best  known  of  the  early  Protestants  are  tlie 
Waldensees  of  the  southeast  of  France.  They  have  liad 
a  continuous  history  for  fifteen  centuries,  and  have  con- 
gregations in  America. 

Peter  Waldo,  a  merchant  of  France,  translatekl  the 
Gospels  into  French,  this  being  the  first  translation  of  any 
part  of  the  Bible  into  a  modern  tongue.  Until  now,  and 
indeed  for  several  more  centuries,  the  papal  church  used 
only  a  Latin  version,  which  could  be  understood  onlv  by 
scholars.  It  resisted  any  effort  to  place  the  Bible  in'  the 
hands  of  the  people  generally. 

About  the  year  1400  it  is  believed  there  were  no  fewer 
than  800,000  of  the  Waldensees.  They  were  most  numer- 
ous in  the  south  of  France  and  the  north  of  Italy,  but  had 
large   congregations   in    what    was   until   a   year   ago    the 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


3 


:J 


Austrian  Empire.  Their  consistency  was  such  as  to  force 
these  words  of  praise  from  a  papal  officer:  "They  are 
orderly  and  modest  in  their  behavior.  They  avoid  all 
appearance  of  pride  in  dress.  They  neither  indulge  in 
finery  of  attire,  nor  are  they  remarkable  for  being  mean 
and  ragged.  They  get  their  living  by  manual  industry. 
They  are  not  anxious  about  amassing  riches,  but  content 
themselves  with  the  necessaries  of  life.  Even  when  they 
work  thev  either  learn  or  teach." 

Peter  Waldo  died  in  Bohemia  in  1180.     That  country 
became  a  stronghold  of  the  early  Protestants,  and  in  1350 
it  contained  200  of  their  churches.    In  the  fourteenth  cen- 
tury their  greatest  religious  teacher  was  John  Hus,  who 
by  means  of  the  basest  treachery  was  burned  at  the  stake 
by  a  pai)al  council.     This  deed  of  infamy  led  to  civil  war 
in  Bohemia,  but  the  Hussite  commander-in-chief  defeated 
every  army  sent  against  him.     After  his  death,  however, 
the  papal  party  succeeded  by  intrigue  and  persistent  mas- 
sacre in  very  nearly  uprooting  the  Hussite  church.     But 
in  1457  the  scattered  remnants  organized  a  society,  giving 
it  the  name  of  Unitas  Fratrum,  this  Latin  expression  mean- 
ing a  Unity  of  Brothers,  or  United  Brethren.     This  name 
has  ever  since  been  retained.     But  up  to  the  time  of  the 
movement  led  by  Martin  Luther,   these   Christians   were 
harried  by  almost  constant  persecution.     Nevertheless,  it 
was  they  who  in  1470  published  the  first  printed  translation 
of  the  Bible  into  any  European  language. 

In  1474  a  delegation  of  the  Brethren  was  sent  out  to 
see  if  there  were  anywhere  in  Christendom  any  "congre- 
gations free  from  popish  errors,  and  lived  conformably 
to  the  rule  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  that  they  might 
form  a  union  with  them."  These  men  went  as  far  as 
Constantinople  and  Egypt,  but  could  not  find  what  they 
were  looking  for.  A  deputation  traveling  in  France  and 
Italy  twelve  years  later  found  some  "upright  souls,  who 
secretly  sighed  over  the  prevailing  abominatons."  A  synod 
of  1489  unanimously  resolved  that  "If  it  should  please 
God,  in  any  country,  to  raise  up  sincere  teachers  and  re- 


4  UNITED   BRETHREN 

formers  in  the  church,  they  would  make  common  cause  with 
them."     In  conformity  therewith,  the  Brethren  sent  dele- 
gates to  Martin  Luther,  who  received  them  kindly.     They 
urged  the  necessity  of  strict  discipline.     Luther  admitted 
that  during  the  time  he  was  a  papist  his  "zeal  for  religion 
made  him  hate   the   Brethren   and   the   writing  of   Hus," 
but  could  now  say  that   "since  the  day  of  the   apostle's, 
there  has  existed  no  church,  which,  in  her  doctrine  and 
rites,  has  more  nearly  approximated  to  the  spirit  of  that 
age  than  the  Bohemian  Brethren.     They  far  excel  us  in 
the  observance  of  regular  discipline,  and  in  this  respect 
are  more  deserving  of  praise  than  w^e.    Our  German  people 
will  not  bend  under  the  yoke  of  discipline." 

But  the  religious  wars  that  followed  the  death  of  Luther 
were  ver\'  demoralizing.  The  Brethren  were  persecuted 
by  the  Lutherans  and  the  Reformed  Church  as  well  as  by 
the  Catholics.  They  were  driven  from  Prussia  to  Poland, 
where  in  1627  a  new  organization  was  effected  under  the 
title  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren.  But  in  the 
same  year  all  their  property  in  what  is  now  Czecho- 
slovakia was  confiscated,  and  all  their  churches  and  schools 
closed.     The  membership  was  scattered  in  all  directions. 

These  United  Brethren  agreed  in  doctrine  with  the 
Waldensees.  They  had  superintendents,  but  recognized 
only  one  order  of  ministers  as  of  divine  appointment.  They 
laid  greater  stress  on  piety,  moral  conduct,  and  knowledge 
of  the  Bible,  in  persons  holding  the  pastoral  office,  than 
on  human  learning.  The  head  of  every  family  was 
required  to  send  his  children  regularly  to  church,  to 
instruct  them  at  home,  and  to  hold  family  devotions.  Their 
churches  were  unadorned,  and  the  sexes  sat  apart.  There 
was  vocal  but  no.  instrumental  music,  and  there  was  no 
prescribed  form  of  prayer. 

In  the  opinion  of  the  Brethren  the  Protestant  Reforma- 
tion accompMshed  only  a  part  of  its  mission.  They  could 
not  see  that  the  churches  that  arose  from  it  were  moulded 
according  to  the  apostolic  pattern.  One  formal  religion 
had  been  exchanged  for  another.     Few  of  those  who  em- 


CHURCH  HISTORY  5 

braced  the  Protestant  faith  were  inwardly  enhghtened. 
There  was  little  discipline.  All  who  conformed  to  certain 
very  easy  conditions  were  recognized  as  members  of  the 
church  for  life,  although  they  mi^t  be  notorious  for 
impiety  and  immorality.  All  grades  of  unbehevers  came 
to  the  communion  table.  Church  and  state  were  united. 
Men  loved  their  creeds  more  than  they  loved  God.  They 
were  orthodox,  but  only  in  an  intellectual  sense. 

In  1722,  Christian  David  led  a  band  of  United  Brethren 
refugees   to   the  estate   of   Count  Zinzendorf,  a   Lutheran 
nobleman  of  Saxony.     David  had  some  time  before  met 
some  imprisoned  Brethren  and  their  influence  led  to  his 
conversion.    He  decided  to  join  the  Lutherans,  but  finding 
among  them  that  any  person  seeking  the  salvation  of  his 
soul  was  exposed  to  jeers  and  taunts,  he  enlisted  as  a 
soldier.     After  his  discharge  he  preached  to  such  of  the 
Brethren  as  he  could  find.     On  the  Zinzendorf  lands  the 
refugees  built  the  village  of  Herrnhut  in  a  forest.     Since 
this  time  they  have  been  commonly  known  as  Moravians. 
Count  Zinzendorf  was  born  in  1700.    Losing  his  father 
in  childhood  he  was  reared  by  a  grandmother,  who  had  a 
daily  prayer  meeting  in  her  home.    Such  a  thing  w^as  then 
regarded  as  fanatical.    The  count  was  religiously  inclined 
from  his  childhood,  and  Herrnhut  grew  into  a  flourishing 
village.     Its  people  organized  themselves  into  a  religious 
society  in  1727,  in  which  year  there  was  a  great  revival, 
thousands  of  people  assembling  to  attend  the  meetings. 
Thus  arose  the  Moravian  Church,  which  has  been  greatly 
distinguished  by  self-sacrifice  and  by  missionary  zeal  and 
success.     As    early   as    1723    some    of    their    missionaries 
visited  England  and  w  ere  the  inspiration  of  the  remarkable 
Wesleyan  revival  of  after  years.     Much  of  the  spirit  of 
the  Moravians  was  carried  into  the  Methodist  movement, 
both  Wesley  and  Whitefield  having  a  very  warm  feehng 
for  these  people. 

In  1735  Moravian  missionaries  reached  America,  Count 
Zinzendorf  himself  following  in  1742.  In  1741  Bishop 
Spangenburg  and  others  issued  a  call  for  any  Christians  of 


6 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


whatsoever  name  to  meet  in  a  convention  at  Germantown^ 
"to  see  how  near  all  could  come  together  on  fundamental 
points."  Representatives  of  all  the  German  sects,  and 
perhaps  others,  were  present  at  the  meeting  on  New  Year's 
day,  1742.  The  spirit  of  it  was  exactly  similar  to  the  move- 
ment afterward  led  by  Otterbein.  The  doctrinal  spirit  of 
those  taking  part  in  it  was  Arminian  and  not  Calvinistic. 
It  was  pre-eminently  a  missionary  body. 

Yet  this  movement,  begun  in  so  promising  a  way,  was 
wrecked  by  the  bitter  opposition  of  the  Lutheran  and 
Reformed  pastors,  who  were  opposed  to  the  idea  of  a 
church  composed  only  of  converted  persons.  Wherever 
the  Moravian  missionaries  went,  they  found  the  seeds  of 
prejudice  sown  in  advance,  to  embarrass  and  in  some 
degree  to  frustrate  their  efii'orts.  * 

This  opening  chapter  of  our  book  may  not  at  a  first 
glance  seem  to  have  a  direct  bearing  on  the  history  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ.  Yet  it  will  show  that  the  older 
bodies  bearing  almost  precisely  the  same  name  were  pre- 
cisely the  same  in  spirit,  and  also  that  they  had  brought 
down  to  our  modern  era  the  spirit  of  the  Apostolic  Church. 

"The  number  of  enlightened  Christians,  who,  before  the 
rise  of  Luther,  adhered  unswervingly  to  the  doctrine  and 
discipline  of  the  Church  which  Christ  had  established,  was 
very  great;  and  the  unblenching  testimony  they  bore 
against  popery,  the  evangelical  light  they  dispersed  by  their 
preaching  and  their  circulation  of  the  Scriptures,  and  the 
remarkable  heroism  displayed  b^^  so  many  thousands, 
while  suffering  a  cruel  death,  did  far  more  to  make  the 
papal  power  odious,  and  to  prepare  the  public  mind  to 
respond  to  the  voice  of  the  reformers,  than  i^  generally 
supposed." 

To  the  above  quotation  from  Lawrence,  it  may  be  added 
that  the  very  existence  of  the  pre-Reformation  Protestants 
is  an  irresistible  argument  for  the  correctness  of  their 
views  concerning  the  Apostolic  Church.  The  church  as 
reorganized  by  Constantine  and  his  successors  has  a  long 
history  of  bigoted  intolerance  and  savage  presecution,  and 


<p 


CHURCH  HISTORY  7 

is  mainly  responsible  for  the  religious  wars  that  for  several 
centuries  drenched  Europe  in  blood.  Yet  it  is  no  more 
than  fair  to  state  that  if  the  church  of  the  Middle  Ages 
appears  in  the  light  of  history  as  an  apostate  church,  the 
Catholic  Church  of  to-day  is  the  product  of  a  counter- 
reformation  within  that  church,  just  as  the  various  Pro- 
testant churches  are  the  product  of  the  Protestant 
Reformation. 


J  . 


CHAPTER  II 

WILLIAM  OTTERBEIN  AND  THE  GERMAN 
REFORMED  CHURCH 

The  Protestant  Reformation  began  two  centuries  before 
the  high  tide  of  German  emigration  to  America.  In  Ger- 
many the  reformers  spht  at  the  very  outset  into  two  wings, 
the  Lutheran  and  the  Reformed  churches,  the  latter  bear- 
ing much  the  same  relation  to  the  former  as  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  bears  to  the  Church  of  England.  The 
stronghold  of  the  Reformed  Church  was  in  Switzerland 
and  the  valley  of  the  Rhine,  whence  it  spread  into  France 
and  Holland.  In  the  remainder  of  Germany,  except  where 
the  Catholics  retained  their  hold.  Protestantism  was  repre- 
sented almost  exclusively  by  the  Lutherans.  In  each  of 
the  petty  monarchies  of  Germany  there  was  a  state  church, 
and  it  was  either  Catholic,  Lutheran,  or  Reformed.  No\ 
one  of  the  three  looked  with  any  favor  on  small  sects  that 
made  no  claims  to  being  supported  by  the  state. 

Despite  the  general  opinion  to  the  contrary,  the  Refor- 
mation was  to  a  great  extent  superficial.  It  had  to  do 
with  the  intellect  rather  than  the  heart.  Where  the 
Cathohcs  lost  power,  another  formal  religion  was  set  up 
in  its  place.  Consequently  the  Reformation  soon  began 
to  lose  its  original  force  and  at  length  stagnated. 

But  as  before  the  Reformation,  so  it  was  afterward. 
There  was  still  an  apostolic  element,  and  it  was  no  longer 
confined  to  the  Moravians  or  the  Mennonites. 

Philip  James  Spener  was  an  Alsatian  and  Lutheran 
and  died  in  1705.  It  is  estimated  that  40,000  persons  were 
converted  as  a  result  of  his  extensive  preaching.  The 
"collegia  pietatis"  that  he  established  were  Bible  ""classes, 
prayer  meetings,  and  class  meetings,  all  in  one.  Spencer 
said  he  brough  treligion  from  the  head  to  the  heart.  He 
insisted  that  no  one  but  a  pious  man  had  any  business 
in  the  pulpit.     He  also  condemned  all  forms  of  question- 


t  ■ 


CHURCH  HISTORY  9 

able  amusements.  That  the  clergy,  as  well  as  the  laity, 
of  the  established  churches  were  enraged  at  such  obvious 
truths  indicates  a  very  low  degree  of  spirituality.  Pietism, 
which  was  the  name  given  to  the  teachings  of  Spener, 
was  the  immediate  application  of  Christian  teaching  to 
the  heart  as  well  as  to  the  head.  Spener  and  Pietism  were 
to  Germany  what  Wesley  and  early  Methodism  were  to 
England,  and  W^esley  was  greatly  influenced  by  his  Ger- 
man forerunner. 

Pietism,  by  whomsoever  professed,  was  an  emotional 
form  of  religion.  But  by  the  year  1800  emotionalism  had 
died  out  in  Germany,  although  it  lived  on  in  America, 
especially  among  the  Americans  of  German  descent.  It  is 
also  worthy  of  remark  that  Spener  made  no  effort  to 
establish  a  new^  sect.  All  he  sought  was  to  infuse  a  more 
apostolic  life  into  the  established  churches. 

Philip  William  Otterbein,  otherwise  known  simply  as 
William  Otterbein,  was  born  June  3,  1726,*  at  Dillenberg, 
a  town  of  about  3,000  inhabitants  in  the  valley  of  the 
Rhine.  His  father,  a  minister  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church,  w^as  also  principal  of  the  Latin  school  in  his  home 
town.  He  died  in  the  prime  of  life,  the  oldest  of  his  seven 
children  being  only  eighteen  years  of  age.  The  widow 
was  left  with  slender  means,  but  like  her  husband  she 
had  character,  piety,  and  learning.  She  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  seeing  all  her  six  sons  complete  a  collegiate  course 
of  study.  As  rapidly  as  the  older  ones  became  qualified 
to  teach,  they  assumed  a  leading  share  in  the  support  of 
the  household  and  helped  to  educate  the  younger  brothers. 
All  the  sons  lived  to  a  ripe  age.  Three  of  them  became 
authors.  All  of  them,  like  their  father,  their  father's  father, 
and  their  own  sister's  husband,  became  ministers.  We  are 
sometimes  told  that  the  sons  of  preachers  are  always  bad. 
Occasionally  they  are  wayward,  like  some  of  the  boys 

*01d  Style,  and  equivalent  to  June  15  at  the  present  day.  The 
change  from  the  Julian  to  the  Gregorian  calendar  took  place  in 
England  in  1752.  The  former  was  then  eleven  days  behind  the 
carrect  time.  In  Germany  the  change  to  New  Style  had  previously 
taken  place. 


10 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


from  other  homes,  and  when  this  is  the  esse  the  fact  fe 
trumpeted  about.  Far  more  usually  they  become  men  of 
substantial  qualities. 

Herborn  Academy,  the  school  in  which  the  OtterbeinS' 
were  educated,  arose  while  the  Protestant  Reformation  was 
in  full  vigor,  and  it  was  under  strong  religious  ioftuences. 
It  could  almost  be  classed  as  a  university.  In  its  theological 
•department  the  tenets  of  Calvinism  were  less  rigidly  upheld 
than  was  the  usual  custom  in  Protestant  lands.  It  is  due 
;to  this  circumstance  that  William  Otterbein  became  the 
primary  founder  of  a  church  that  is  Arminian  in  its 
theology. 

'  It  was  a  German  custom  for  the  graduate,  if  a  candidate 
for  the  ministr>%  to  demonstrate  his  fitness  to  teach  before 
he  could  receive  ordination.  He  was  expected  to  serve 
this  apprenticeship  by  being  a  "house-teacher"  in  some 
well-to-do  family.  In  accordance  with  this  custom  William 
Otterbein  took  up  the  work  of  tutoring,  but  when  not  quite 
twenty-two  years  of  age  was  made  an  instructor  in  the 
very  school  where  he  had  been  educated.  One  year  later, — 
June  13,  1749, — he  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  the 
Reformed  church  of  Dillenburg,  which  was  the  only  house 
to  worship  in  the  town.  He  had  already  been  ai)pointed 
vicar, — assistant  preacher;, — in  a  small  village  near  by. 
But  although  now  a  minister  he  did  not  cease  to  teach. 
His  ministerial  duties  required  him  to  preach  every  Sun- 
day, and  occasionally  on  other  days,  and  to  hold  a  prayer 
meeting  once  each  week.  The  prayer  meeting  was  then 
rare  in  Germany.  It  is  still  rare,  although  we  hear  of  the 
"Bible  hour"  among  groups  of  South  Germans  in  whom 
the  religious  feeling  is  particularly  strong.  During  the 
four  years  of  pastoral  work  in  his  mother  country,  Otter- 
bein laid  great  stress  on  a  pure  life  and  an  active  religious 
spirit.  This  aroused  some  opposition  among  the  worldly- 
minded  church-goers,  and  there  was  an  unsuccessful 
attempt  to  muzzle  his  speech.  His  mother  said  the  home 
town  was  too  narrow  for  one  like  him  and  that  he  would 
have  to  become  a  missionary. 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


11 


The  Dutch  Reformed  and  the  German  Reformed  de- 
nominations are  sister  churches.  Aside  from  the  more 
riaid  Calvinism  of  the  former,  and  the  fact  that  the  one 
arose  in  Holland  and  the  other  in  Germany,  there  is  no 
well  marked  distinction  between  them.  The  Dutch 
Reformed  Church  was  the  first  to  appear  in  America  for 
the  simple  reason  that  New  York  was  at  first  a  Dutch 
colony  and  sent  emigrants  across  the  Atlantic  before  any 
came  from  Germany.  Holland  was  then  wealthy,  while 
Germany  was  poor.  The  smaller  country  was  therefore 
the  better  able  to  contribute  to  the  missionary  work  so 
greatly  needed  at  this  time  in  America.  In  addition  to 
their  direct  contributions,  the  people  of  Holland  created 
a  fund  of  $60,000,— fully  equal  to  $500,000  at  the  date  of 
this  book, — the  income  from  which  was  applied  to  mis- 
sionary activities  beyond  the  Atlantic.  It  is  much  to  the 
credit  of  the  Hollanders  in  that  intolerant  age  that  they 
were  willing  to  come  to  the  relief  of  the  sister  church. 

In  1746  Michael  Schlatter,  a  native  of  Switzerland  and 
a  young  man  of  zeal  and  enthusiasm,  arrived  in  America. 
He  came  to  visit  the  various  settlements,  and  there  organize 
societies,  secure  pastors  when  possible,  baptize  children, 
administer  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  prepare  church  records. 
In  efl'ect,  he  was  a  bishop.  After  five  years  he  returned 
to  Holland  to  make  a  personal  report  and  ask  further 
assistance,  both  in  missionaries  and  money.  In  carrying 
out  this  errand  he  came  to  Herborn,  the  home  of  the  Otter- 
beins,  and  there  secured  five  helpers,  one  of  whom  was 
William.  The  mother  did  not  withhold  her  consent,  even 
in  the  face  of  the  strong  probability  that  she  would  never 
see  him  again  in  this  life.  So  he  went  away  with  her  bless- 
ing and  arrived  at  New  York  July  28,  1752.  However,  a 
bronchial  ailment  had  something  to  do  with  his  leaving 
Germany.  It  was  thought  the  American  climate  would 
prove  beneficial.  This  seems  to  have  been  the  result,  for 
William  Otterbein  reached  a  greater  age  than  any  of  his 
brothers,  although  there  was  at  times  a  recurrence  of  the 
trouble. 


12 


UNITED  BRETHREN 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


13 


About  one  month  after  reaching  America  Otterbein  was 
installed  as  pastor  of  the  German  Reformed  Church  at 
Lancaster,  then  a  thrifty  Pennsylvania  town  of  2,000 
inhabitants.  In  importance  this  congregation  ranked 
second  among  the  Reformed  churches  in  the  colonies.  But 
discipline  and  spirituahty  were  at  a  low  ebb.  In  1757  he 
asked  to  be  relieved  but  consented  to  remain  another  year 
on  condition  that  the  rules  of  order  which  he  drew  up 
should  be  adopted.  These  rules  were  signed  by  eighty  of 
the  male  members  of  the  church,  and  were  so  salutary 
that  they  remained  in  force  till  about  1830.  That  Otterbein 
did  not  toil  at  Lancaster  in  vain  is  further  evident  in  the 
fact  that  this  city  remains  a  stronghold  of  the  Reformed 
Church  and  is  the  seat  of  one  of  its  foremost  collegiate 
institutions.  Furthermore,  the  small  wooden  house  of 
worship  was  superseded  during  his  ministry  by  a  massive 
stone  building,  used  as  such  for  almost  a  century. 

It  was  during  this  pastorate  that  there  was  a  turning- 
point  in  the  character  and  effect  of  Otterbein's  preaching. 

In  the  state-supported  churches  of  that  age,  religion 
was  viewed  as  a  form  of  intellectual  education.  If  an 
adult  had  learned  the  catechism,  had  been  confirmed,  and 
partook  at  stated  times  of  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  and,  if  furthermore,  his  general  deportment  pre- 
sented no  loophole  for  well-aimed  criticism,  he  was  con- 
sidered to  be  a  model  Christian.  But  such  educational 
religion,  had  no  spirituality,  because  it  was  not  founded 
on  the  new  birth.  The  appeal  was  to  the  head  and  not  to 
the  heart.  It  was  all  very  well,  so  far  as  it  went,  but  it 
did  not  go  far  enough. 

One  morning  Otterbein  preached  with  more  than  his 
usual  fervor  and  several  of  his  liearers  were  deeply  moved. 
At  the  close  of  the  sermon  one  of  them  came  forward  to 
ask  counsel.  Yet  the  minister  could  only  replv  that 
"advice  was  scarce  with  him  to-day."  He  awoke*^to  the 
discovery  that  he  had  been  preaching  truths  he  had  studied 
m  a  formal  manner,  but  had  not  adequately  experienced. 
Almost  at  once  he  went  to  his  closest  to  pray  until  he 


I! 


possessed  a  more  perfect  consciousness  of  personal  salva- 
tion. This  does  not  necessarily  mean  that  up  to  this  point 
he  was  an  unconverted  man.  It  does  mean  that  he  was 
not  satisfied  with  the  ground  on  which  he  had  been  stand- 
ing. This  explains  the  answer  he  gave,  many  years  after- 
ward, to  a  question  by  Bishop  Asbury:  "By  degrees  was 
I  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  while  I  was  at  Lan- 
caster." From  this  time  forward,  Otterbein  insisted  on  a 
true  spiritual  experience  as  both  the  privilege  and  the  duty 
of  every  member  of  any  Christian  church.  It  was  the  be- 
ginning of  a  new  and  more  effective  epoch  in  his  ministry. 
Hitherto  he  had  used  manuscript  in  his  pulpit.  Hence- 
forward he  discarded  the  practice  and  preached  extempore. 
Leaving  Lancaster  in  1758,  Otterbein  preached  two 
years  on  Tulpehocken  Creek,  near  Reading.  He  now  intro- 
duced the  week-day  evening  prayer  meeting.  To  see  the 
preacher  and  his  flock  kneeling  at  such  a  time  was  a  novelty 
to  the  people  and  some  of  them  thought  it  improper.  Even 
the  pastors  of  that  age  sometimes  persecuted  those  who 
attended  such  meetings. 

The  next  pastorate  was  at  Frederick,  Maryland,  and 
continued  five  years.  It  was  very  successful,  although  the 
formalists  in  the  congregation  chafed  un)der  his  denial 
that  an  observance  of  conventional  worship  has  power  in 
itself  to  save  the  unconverted  man.  At  one  time  a  majority 
decided  upon  his  abrupt  dismissal.  Finding  the  church 
door  locked,  the  minister  went  into  the  burial  ground  and 
preached  from  a  tombstone.  Another  service  was  an- 
nounced for  the  same  place  the  following  Sunday.  But 
this  time  the  door  was  opened.  At  Frederick,  as  at  Lan- 
caster, one  result  of  his  efforts  was  a  substantial  house  of 
worship  built  of  stone. 

The  fourth  American  pastorate  was  at  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  lasted  from  1765  to  1774,  excepting  an  absence 
of  about  one  year,  during  which  he  visited  the  old  home 
in  Germany.  He  sailed  for  Europe  in  April,  1770,  having 
now  been  eighteen  years  in  America.  His  mother  and  all 
his  brothers  were  still  living. 


14 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


The  fifth  pastorate,  which  was  not  only  the  last  but 
the  longest,  took  Otterbein  to  Baltimore,  then  a  city  of 
6,000  people.  His  congregation  was  small,  and  did  not 
acknowledge  the  authority  of  the  German  Reformed 
organization.  This  independent  attitude  had  much  to  do 
with  the  formation  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  as  will 
be  explained  in  a  later  chapter. 

Otterbein  came  to  America  as  a  missionary,  and  carried 
the  missionary-  spirit  with  him  during  all  his  pastorates, 
making  long  journeys  in  order  to  reach  people  who  were 
without  the  gospel.  His  travehng  work  began  while  he 
was  on  the  Tulpehocken.  He  visited  all  the  German  coun- 
ties of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  and  went  up  the  Valley 
of  Virginia  as  far  as  Strasburg.  He  was  entirely  evange- 
lical, cared  little  for  creeds,  and  less  for  church  names. 
In  early  youth  he  was  deeply  impressed  by  the  teachings 
of  the  Pietists,  who  were  to  Germany  what  the  Wesleyan 
societies  were  to  England.  To  him  and  those  agreeing  with 
him  religion  was  almost  wholly  an  inner  work,  personal 
and  individual,  within  the  soul,  and  was  effective  and  of 
value  only  when  the  personal  experience  was  conscious 
of  the  mystic  union  of  the  divine  spirit  with  the  human, 
witnessing  the  conscious  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  produc- 
ing a  peace  of  mind  which  the  world  could  not  give.  Right 
living  was  to  follow  as  a  matter  of  course,  but  was  a  neces- 
sary product  of  a  right  heart. 

Bisliop  Otterbein  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  scholars 
of  his  age.  He  was  familiar  with  the  Greek  and  Hebrew 
languages,  and  was  so  much  at  home  in  the  Latin  that  he 
sometimes  wrote  the  original  draft  of  his  sermons  in  that 
tongue.  Asbury  speaks  of  him  as  "one  of  the  best  scholars 
and  the  greatest  divines  in  America."  But  in  the  hne  of 
authorship  he  left  no  evidence  of  his  learning  except  what 
may  be  gleaned  from  a  few  personal  letters  and  the  records 
of  his  church  work.  His  industry  found  expression  in 
other  Imes.  As  a  preacher  he  was  argumentative  and 
eloquent,  and  an  exceptionally  clear  expounder  of  the 
Scriptures. 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


15 


Throui^hout  his  long  life  Otterbein  enjoyed  the  affec- 
tionate esteem  of  great  numbers  of  people,  both  in  his  own 
and  other  churches.  In  his  last  years  he  was  too  infirm 
to  attend  the  annual  conferences.  But  as  "Father  Otter- 
bein," he  continued  to  be  held  in  deep  veneration.  His 
personal  appearance  is  thus  described  by  Henry  Boehm, 
a  son  of  his  co-laborer:  "In  person  he  was  tall,  being  six 
feet  high,  with  a  noble  frame  and  a  commanding  appear- 
ance. He  had  a  thoughtful,  open  countenance,  full  of 
benignity,  and  a  dark-bluish  eye  that  was  very  expressive. 
In  reading  the  lessons  he  used  spectacles,  which  he  would 
take  off  and  hold  in  his  left  hand  while  speaking.  He  had 
a  high  forehead,  a  double  chin,  with  a  beautiful  dimple  in 
the  center.  His  locks  were  gray,  his  dress  parsonic." 
Stevens  in  his  "History  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church," 
makes  these  observations:  "Otterbein  was  large,  and  very 
commanding  in  his  personal  appearance,  with  a  prominent 
forehead,  upon  which  the  seal  of  the  Lord  seemed  to  be 
plainly  impressed.  His  Christian  kindness  and  benevolence 
knew  no  bounds,  and  all  he  received,  like  Wesley,  he  gave 
way  in  charities." 

Otterbein's  parsonage  at  Baltimore  contained  only  four 
rooms.  He  was  at  this  time  a  widower  without  family. 
Anyone  who  lived  with  him  was  required  to  attend  church. 
The  bishop  was  sociable  and  charitable,  very  regular  and 
systematic  in  his  habits,  and  very  precise  in  his  costume. 
After  coming  to  Baltimore,  he  gave  up  wearing  a  clerical 
gown  in  the  pulpit  and  preached  in  the  attire  of  a  citizen. 
He  was  opposed  to  church  organs,  and  he  did  not  believe 
a  Freemason  could  be  a  Christian. 

Wiham  Otterbein  died  at  Baltimore,  November  17,  1813, 
at  the  ar^e  of  eicfhty-seven  years,  having  spent  sixty-five 
years  in  the  Christian  ministry.  That  the  funeral  exercises 
for  the  venerable  bishop  w^ere  conducted  by  ministers  of 
the  Lutheran,  Methodist,  and  Episcopal  churches  is  a 
significant  witness  to  the  breadth  of  his  sympathies. 

For  several  years  Otterbein  had  been  too  infirm  to 
travel  outside  of  Baltimore.     Only  six  weeks  before  his 


16 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


death  he  was  assisted  from  his  bed  to  an  easy  chair  that 
he  might  ordain  Christian  Newcomer,  Joseph  Hoffman, 
and  Frederic  Schaeffer,  two  of  whom  became  bishops! 
The  certificates  of  ordination  were  written  in  Enghsh  as 
well  as  in  German. 


CHAPTER  HI 

MARTIN  BOEHM  AND   THE  MENNONITES 

The  Mennonite  Church  was  founded  in  Switzerland  in 
1522,  and  very  soon  it  spread  into  Germany,  Holland,  and 
France.  Persecution  was  prompt  to  appear,  and  it  is 
claimed  that  in  nearly  every  instance  the  Mennonite  can 
trace  his  ancestry  to  some  forbear  who  was  burned  at  the 
state  or  tortured.  Protestantism  was  represented  in 
Switzerland  by  the  Reformed  Church,  and  the  churchly 
pride  which  this  denomination  had  inherited  from  the 
mother  church,  the  Roman  Catholic,  led  it  to  look  upon 
the  Mennonites  as  contemptible.  It  persecuted  the  new 
sect  as  cheerfully  as  did  the  Lutherans  or  the  Catholics. 
One  of  the  ways  of  contending  with  what  was  deemed  a 
heresy  was  to  drown  the  Mennonite  offender.  This  was 
looked  upon  as  baptizing  him  in  his  own  way. 

Menno  Simon,  a  Catholic  priest,  espoused  the  cause  of 
the  harassed  people,  gave  them  his  name,  and  added  the 
principle  of  non-resistance  to  their  creed.  Between  1670 
and  1710  large  numbers  were  driven  to  Austria  and  Russia 
by  the  Protestants  of  their  home-lands  because  they  re- 
fused to  have  their  children  baptized.  The  first  to  appear 
in  America  were  a  little  party  who  came  in  the  fall  of 
1683  at  the  sohcitation  of  William  Penn.  Their  first  meet- 
ina-house  was  built  at  Germantown  in  his  colony  in  1708. 
When  the  war  for  American  independence  rose,  the  Amer- 
ican Mennonites  had  13  congregations  and  15  bishops. 
There  are  now  about  60,000  members  in  the  United  States. 

The  Mennonite  Church  came  into  existence  as  an  effort 
to  bring  back  to  life  the  primitive  Christian  Church,  accord- 
ing to  Menno's  conception  of  it.  There  are  points  of  re- 
semblance between  the  German  Mennonites  and  the  English 
Quakers,  and  this  is  why  William  Penn  showed  them  so 
much  hospitality.  Both  sects  practice  simplicity  in  per- 
sonal attire,  have  no  paid  ministers,  and  refuse  to  make 


18 


UNITED   BRETHHEX 


formal  oaths  or  to  perform  military  service.  It  was  their 
opposition  to  war  that  made  them  particularly  abnoxious 
to  the  Swiss.  The  government  of  Switzerland  ruled  that 
those  of  its  people  who  were  unwilling  to  bear  arms  in 
the  defense  of  the  state  were  undeserving  of  its  protec- 
tion. They  had  no  theology.  "Beheve  and  let  believe," 
Avas  their  motto.  The  Mennonites  go  so  far  in  the  direc- 
tion of  pacifism  as  to  forbid  their  members  from  engaging 
in  personal  combat.  They  are  much  opposed  to  the  baptism 
ol  infants.  They  do  not  countenance  secret  societies, 
neither  do  they  accept  civil  office  or  exercise  the  right  of 
sufirage.  Among  their  religious  practices  are  the  anointing 
witli  oil,  the  kiss  of  charity,  and  the  washing  of  feet.  What- 
ever may  be  thought  of  their  views  on  non-resistance  and 
on  non-participation  in  civic  life,  the  Mennonites  have 
always  been  noted  for  temperance,  pure  living,  strict 
honesty,  and  conscientious  devotion  to  the  observances  of 
their  creed.  Hut  the  Mennonites  of  colonial  America 
allowed  the  spiritual  side  of  religion  to  fall  into  very  great 
neglect.  They  drifted  into  a  hidebound  formalism,  which 
made  them  extremely  exact  in  matters  of  costume,  and  to 
insist  on  a  precise  morafity  in  the  affairs  of  everyday 
conduct. 

Mennonites  were  among  the  very  earliest  settlers  in  the 
Valley  of  Virginia,  yet  it  was  almost  a  century  before  they 
built  any  special  house  of  worship.  The  first  was  Frissel's, 
near  Baker's  mill,  three  miles  west  of  Broadway.  It  is 
now  called  the  Brush  church  and  was  built  in  1822. 
Meyer's  meeting  house,  on  the  Valley  Pike,  was  built  about 
three  years  later. 

From  the  settlement  north  of  Woodstock  the  younger 
generation  pushed  up  the  Valley  and  occupied  the  region 
about  Timberville,  Broadway,  and  Turleytown.  From  the 
thirty  families  around  Coote's  store,  numbers  moved  south 
nnd  west  from  Harrisonburg.  Here  was  a  district  of  wood- 
land so  late  as  1780.  The  previous  sparse  population  of 
English  and  Scotch-Irish  cabin-dwellers,  each  controlling 
from  600  to  1,000  acres,  lived  mainly    by    hutning    and 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


11> 


fishing. 

About  1825  there  was  a  schism  among  the  Mennonites 
of  Rockingham  county.  It  came  about  through  the  asso- 
ciation of  Frederick  Rhodes,  one  of  their  preachers,  with 
the  United  Brethren  of  the  congregation  at  Whitesel's. 
Abount  one-half  the  Mennonite  body  took  offense  at  the 
loud  and  earnest  preaching  of  Rhodes,  and  not  because  ot 
the  doctrines  he  set  forth  or  of  taking  an  active  part  in 
the  meetings  of  the  Brethren.  Peter  Eby  and  three  other 
ministers  came  from  Pennsylvania  and  restored  harmony. 
They  ruled  that  Rhodes  had  not  transgressed  the  gospel. 

Martin  Boehm,  son  of  a  Swiss  immigrant,  was  born  in 
Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  30,  1725.  His 
father,  reared  as  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  fell 
under  the  infiuence  of  the  Pietists.  For  this  lapse  into  what 
was  deemed  a  heresy,  he  was  denounced  by  his  parents  as 
well  as  his  pastor,  and  was  sentenced  to  jail.  But  he 
escaped  to  France,  and  in  1715  made  his  way  to  America, 
where  he  became  a  Mennonite,  his  wife  being  of  the  same 
faith. 

The  alert  intellectuality  of  the  son  atoned  in  a  great 
degree  for  his  meager  educational  opportunities.     He  had 
a  clear  and  ready  grasp  of  ideas,  and  was  a  fluent  speaker 
in   German,  learning  also  to  express  himself  in  English. 
His   gift   of   expression    caused   him    to   be   selected   as   a 
preacher  when   thirty-three  years  old.     Even   then,  how- 
ever, he  was  difiident  and  tongue-tied  in  his  first  attempts 
to  exhort.    Like  Otterbein  he  now  realized  that  he  had  no 
gospel  message  for  the  people  until  he   had  been   made 
a  new  man  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit.    This  radical 
change  came  as  an  answer  to  long  continued  prayer  for 
light  and  guidance.     Thenceforward  he  was  elequent  and 
effective.    The  necessity  of  the  new  birth  was  the  keynote 
of  his  preaching.    Some  of  his  Mennonite  brethren  accej)ted 
the  doctrine,  while  others  thought  him  a  fanatic.     Never- 
theless, he  was  advanced   to   the  rank   of  bishop   in   the 
Mennonite  Church  in  1759. 

But   Otterbein   and  Boehm   were   not   alone.     Certam 


20 


UNITED  BRETHREN 


"New  Light"  preachers  from  tlie  Valley  of  Virsrinia  were 
presenting  the  same  gospel  message  to  the  German-speak- 
ing people.    The  New  Lights  were  the  followers  of  George 
^^  hiteheld.  an  English  evangelist  who  traveled  extensivelv 
in  America.    The  Mennonite  settlers  of  the  Valley  listened 
to  these  disciples  with  interest.     They  had  no  ministers 
of  their  own,  neither  were  they  yet  organized  into  societies 
1  hoy  now  sent  for  a  minister  and  Boehm  responded  to  the 
call     His  missionary  labors  in  Virginia  were  very  helpful 
to  himself  as   well  as   the  people.     After  his   return    to 
Pennsylvania  he  thought  it  was  no  longer  his  duty  to  con- 
hne  his  efforts  to  his  own  neighborhood.     He  preached 
wherever  he  felt  impelled  to  go.     As  before,  some  of  the 
Mennonites  listened   to  his   teachings   with   approval   and 
some  with  astonishment.    The  voice  of  opposition  proved 
itself  the  stronger  force.    Articles  of  indictment  were  drawn 
up  and  Boehm   was  expelled   from   the   Mennonite   com- 
munion,    ^et  his  Christian  character  was  not  questioned, 
and  he  could  no^^•  preach  with  more  freedom  than  ever 

7l  llTu  -^T'*"^  "'*''■  "'^^  ^'^'■'^  «f  '»«  farm  to  his  son 
so  that  he  might  now  give  his  whole  time  to  evangelistic 
work.  After  1789  his  ministerial  career  is  a  part  of  the 
history  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

..J^T^?'"''^"'  '"''''  ^'-"""^  ^-'  ^81-''  '"  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-six  years.  He  was  hale  and  stronu  almost  to 
the  very  last,  and  could  ride  a  horse  until  his  final  and  very 
brief  Illness.  His  longevity  was  ineherited  bv  his  son 
Heno-,  who  preached  a  sermon  in  the  city  of  New  York 

MnrMn  T  i"'"'''!''  f  "'''^-^-  ^°'^*--  ^rury  speaks  of 
Martin  Boehm  as  "a  short,  stout  man,  with  a  vigorous 
constitution   an  intellectual  countenance,  and  a  fine  tlow^ 

appea'rance '  Bo'h  ''"  '"  '.'^  '^'^"  ^'^^^'"^  ^  >-«-''-ha1 
appearance.       Boehm    was    always    plain    and    simple  in 

costume,  and  seems  never  to  have  discarded  the  severeh 

plain   a,„,f,„,   Mennonites.     His   estimable  peZ^a, 

qualities  an<l  h.s  sincere   Christian   character   made   Wm 

deeply  revered  in  the  church  he  helped  to  found  and  very 

much  respected  by  other  denominations  ^ 


I 


CHAPTER  IV 

GERMAN  IMMIGRATION  IN  THE  EIGHTEENTH 

CENTURY 

The  well  informed  American  knows  that  the  United 
States  is  a  nation  of  48  states  and  more  than  100,000,000 
people.  In  some  particular  respects  it  is  outranked,  here 
by  one  countrv  and  there  by  another.  Yet  the  substantial 
fact  remains  that  in  a  massing  of  the  fundamental  features 
of  national  greatness,  the  American  Republic  stands  first 
in  what  was  styled,  until  1914,  the  sisterhood  of  nations. 
In  1783  it  was  neither  populous  nor  rich.  To-day  it  is  the 
wealthiest  country  on  the  face  of  the  globe,  the  richest  in 
natural  resources,  and  the  strongest  in  physical  might. 

It  requires  no  far-reaching  examination  of  the  census 
returns  to  learn  that  among  the  Protestant  bodies  the 
Methodists  and  Baptists  are  easily  in  the  lead.  Next,  but 
at  some  distance,  follow  the  Presbyterians,  Lutherans, 
Episcopalians,  Christians,  and  Congregationalists.  The  de- 
nominations that  are  still  smaller  are  more  numerous,  and 
it  is  among  these  that  the  one  known  as  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Chnst  is  classified.  Yet  it  must  be  remembered  that 
the  larger  communions,  and  many  of  the  smaller  as  well, 
are  made  up  of  aggregations  independent  of  one  another. 
The  census  of  1890  enumerates  141  distinct  religious 
organizations.  Yet  not  one  of  the  number  is  supported  by 
the  General  government  or  by  the  government  of  any  state. 
A  rapid  survey  of  the  America  of  1752  will  be  of  much 
interest.  It  was  in  that  year  that  William  Ottebein  came  to 
America  after  spending  nearly  four  months  in  crossing 
the  Atlantic  on  a  sailing  vessel. 

There  was  not  yet  any  political  bond  between  the  thir- 
teen colonies  that  were  to  become  the  first  members  of 
the  Federal  Union.  They  were  still  a  part  of  the  British 
realm  and  prospectively  the  most  important  part.  The 
million  and  a  half  of  inhabitants,— less  than  the  present 


90 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


23 


I)opulation  of  the  little  state  of  Maryland,— were  scattered 
a  thousand  miles  along  the  Atlantic  coast.  There  were 
very  few  indeed  who  lived  more  than  seventy  miles  inland 
from  the  very  shore  itself.  Only  a  few  thousands  were  in 
the  recently  settled  country  west  of  the  Blue  Rid'^e.  Phila- 
delphia, Boston,  and  New  York  were  the  largest  cities,  and 
not  one  of  the  three  was  much  more  populous  than  Staun- 
ton. Va.,  is  now.  America  was  mainly  an  agricultural  land. 
There  was  an  active  commerce  by  sea,  but  no  industrial 
establishnients  which  now  would  be  considered  worthy  of 
any  mention.  There  were  only  fixe  colleges,  and  excei)t 
m  the  New  England  section  there  were  no  free  schools.  In 
the  other  colonies  schooling  was  looked  upon  as  a  private 
interest,  to  be  purchased  and  paid  for  like  a  suit  of  clothes. 
America  was  a  new  country  and  in  a  general  sense  it  was 
crude.  Yet  it  was  a  prosperous  land.  Furthermore,  the 
Americans  already  regarded  themselves  as  a  people' dis- 
tinct from  any  other.  They  had  a  higher  level  of  intelligence 
than  was  true  of  England,  and  they  had  a  higher  sense  of 
civic  spirit  than  the  inhabitants  of  the  British  Isles.  They 
were  proud  of  their  local  institutions,  jealous  of  theiV 
political  rights,  and  were  convinced  that  the  future  held 
much  in  store  for  them. 

Buj  there  was  no  multiplicity  of  religious  denominations 
in  1752.  Religion  was  free  only  in  Rhode  Island  and 
Pennsylvania.  The  first  of  these  colonies  was  founded  by 
Baptists  and  the  second  by  Quakers.  Elsewhere  the  Euro- 
pean practice  prevailed  and  there  was  a  state  church, 
supported  by  pubhc  taxation.  To  a  certain  extent  all  adults 
were  expected  to  attend  its  services.  In  two  of  the  four 
New  England  colonies  the  state  church  was  the  Congrega- 
tional, which  under  the  name  of  Independent,  ranked 
as  the  establishment  in  England  during  Cromwell's  rule. 
In  nine  of  the  colonies  the  Church  of  England  was  in 
power,  the  same  as  in  England  itself.  When  the  Hollanders 
founded  New  York  they  introduced  their  own  national 
church,  the  Dutch  Reformed,  and  it  is  in  New  York  that 
this  denomination  has  its  chief  foothold  in  America  to-day. 


a| 


11 


t  i 


*-> 


The  Presbyterian  was  the  state  church  of  Scotland,  and 
the  very  heavy  Scotch-Irish    immigration,   beginning    in 
earnest  about  1725,  gave  that  sect  a  very  strong  following, 
particularly  all  along  the  inland  frontier.    The  half-century, 
1725-1775,  witnessed  a  very  large  German  inflow.     In  this 
way  the  Lutheran,  the  state  church  of  the  Protestant  Ger- 
man monarchies,  appeared  in  the  Middle  Colonies  and  in 
Maryland  and  Virginia.     Nearly  all  this  German  element 
w  as  from  the  upper  valley  of  the  Rhine,  especially  Switzer- 
land and  the  Palatinate.    And  since  the  German  Reformed 
Church  was  well  represented  in  this  very  region,  that  de- 
nomination also  came  to  America.     Still  other  Germans 
were  Moravians  or  were  Mennonites  of  various  branches. 
The  denominations  we  have  named  are  substantially 
all  that  were  represented  in  America  of  1752.    They  origi- 
nated in  Europe,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  Baptists, 
Quakers,   Mennonites,   and   Moravians,   they  began   there 
as  state  churches. 

Several  organizations  very  strong  in  America  to-day 
were  then  quite  unknown.  This  is  conspicuously  true  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  which  began  as  a  society  within  the 
Church  of  England,  and  did  not  become  an  independent 
body  in  America  until  1784.  It  was  unknown  in  1752  and 
had  little  more  than  a  thousand  members  in  1774.  Alexan- 
der Campbell  was  not  yet  born,  and  consequently  the 
church  founded  by  him  was  still  in  the  future. 

It  is  in  place  to  say  something  more  about  established 
churches.  Two  centuries  before  the  birth  of  Otterbein  it 
was  strictly  true  that  there  was  but  one  church  in  all  West- 
ern Europe.  This  church  was  the  Roman  Catholic.  There 
was  a  small  wave  of  dissent,  but  it  was  the  customary  prac- 
tice to  hunt  down  the  objector  as  though  he  were  a  wild 
beast.  If  emphatic  persuasion  would  not  silence  his  voice 
he  was  put  out  of  the  way  as  though  a  positive  danger 
to  society.  Toward  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century, 
Henry  VIII  broke  with  Rome  and  within  the  borders  of 
England  he  took  the  place  of  the  pope  as  the  head  of  the 
church.    For  a  while  there  was  no  other  conspicuous  point 


24 


UNITED  BRETHREN 


of  diflerence  between  the  Church  of  Rome  and  the  Church 
of  England.    But  within  the  latter  body  an  influence  sprang 
up  which  conformed  its  theology  to  the  Protestant  standard, 
while  making  httle  alteration  in  its  ritual  and  its  forms 
of  worship,  so  far  as  outward  appearance  was  CD-cerned. 
Somewhat  the  same  thing  happened  in  Germany.     U:  der 
the  lead  of  Martin  Luther  a  large  portion   of  Northern 
Europe  threw  off  all  allegiance  to  Rome,  and  adopted  {he 
creed  on  which  the  Protestant  Reformation  had  rested  its 
cause.     Yet    the    externals    of    worship    in    tlic    Liillieran 
Church,  as  in  the  Church  of  England,  were  nulth  the  same 
as  in  the  mother  church.     This  is  an  illustration  of  the 
fact  that  mankind  is  far  more  prone  to  cff'ect  a   change 
by  stei)s  and  not  by  jumps.     A  large  section  of  the  Prot- 
estant world  did  not  consider  the  change  radical  enough, 
and  the  Calvinistic  creed  was  the  result.     Thus  arose  the 
Calvinistic  churches;    the  Presbyterian    in    Scotland,   the 
Independent  in  England,  the  Dutch  Reformed  in  Holland, 
the  German  Reformed  in  Switzerland  and  the  south  of  Ger- 
many, and  the  Huguenot,  or  French  Protestant  Church,  in 
France. 

Before  the  coming  of  the  Reformation  and  for  many 
years  afterward,  it  was  generally  believed  that  no  country 
should  permit  more  than  one  church  organization  v/ithin 
its  confines.  The  church  and  the  civil  authority  were 
viewed  as  the  twin  pillars  that  supported  the  state.  ^  It  was 
plain  that  no  state  could  endure  if  it  were  to  tolerate  any 
rival  political  organization  inside  of  its  borders.  How, 
then,  it  was  argued,  could  there  safely  be  more  than  one 
standard  of  religious  belief  within  a  state?  Religious  dis- 
sent was  viewed  with  anger  and  horror,  just  as  anarchy 
and  bolshevism  are  viewed  in  the  political  world  to-day. 
But  the  spirit  of  that  age  was  more  than  intolerant.  It 
was  cruel.  The  religious  remonstrant  was  bovcotted,  both 
socially  and  religiously.  This  policy  alone  ^  w  as  severe 
enough  in  its  practical  effect.  But  if  relatively  mild 
measures  did  not  effect  the  desired  result,  the  heretic  was 
burned  at  the  stake,  or  was  skinned  and  disemboweled  in 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


25 


the  hideous  belief  that  his  torture  in  this  world  meant  the 
salvation  of  his  soul  for  the  next. 

The  Church  of  Rome  tried  to  stamp  out  Protestantism, 
root  and  branch.  It  nearly  succeeded  in  France  and  more 
fully  succeeded  in  some  other  regions.  In  Germany  it  was 
obliged  to  come  to  terms.  An  agreement  was  reached 
whereby  each  of  the  petty  states  into  which  Germany  was 
then  divided  should  choose  between  Catholicism  and 
Protestantism. 

Religious  toleration  was  not  by  any  means  a  first  fruit 
of  the  Reformation.  The  early  Protestants  were  them- 
selves intolerant.  Freedom  of  conscience  was  not  recog- 
nized until  torrents  of  blood  had  flowed  on  the  battlefields 
of  Europe.  When  brave,  stubborn  men  fought  other  men 
as  brave  and  stubborn  as  themselves,  each  party  found  at 
length  that  the  only  w^ay  out  of  the  difficulty  was  to  agree 
to  live  and  let  live.  It  was  next  found  out  that  unity  in 
political  government  and  unity  in  church  organization  do 
not  rest  on  the  same  base.  It  was  gradually  discovered 
that  the  assumed  peril  to  the  state  in  permitting  more  than 
one  sect  within  its  borders  was  a  mere  creature  of  the 
imagination.  Nevertheless,  toleration  was  resisted  in 
Europe,  inch  by  inch,  year  by  year,  and  had  not  become 
generally  accepted  at  the  time  when  Otterbein  sailed  for 
America.  And  even  after  intolerance  had  lost  the  support 
of  the  civil  arm  of  the  state,  its  spirit  survived  in  the  form 
of  animosity  between  sect  and  sect.  Instead  of  presenting 
a  united  front  against  the  manifold  forces  of  evil,  the 
Protestant  churches  scattered  their  energies  by  persistently 
firing  into  each  other's  ranks.  This  spirit  has  been  waning 
a  long  while,  yet  it  is  a  matter  of  common  observation  that 
it  is  still  a  force  to  be  reckoned  with. 

Religious  toleration  grew  out  of  the  Reformation,  al- 
though the  non-Catholic  churches  persecuted  freely  and 
even  severely,  burning  some  of  the  more  prominent  offen- 
ders at  the  stake.  The  Church  of  Rome  went  further  and 
resorted  to  wholesale  massacre.  The  Huguenots  of  France 
were  either  murdered  or  had  to  get  out  of  their  native  land 


26 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


the  easiest  way  possible.  The  government  of  England 
worried  the  Protestant  non-comformists  as  well  as  the 
Catholics. 

Grime  perpetrated  in  the  name  of  religion  was  the  lead- 
ing cause  in  the  peopling  of  America.  Thus  wore  driven 
the  Puritans  to  New  England,  the  Quakers  to  Pennsylvania, 
the  Cathohcs  to  Maryland,  and  the  Presbyterians  to  tlie 
Middle  Colonies. 

The  tragedy  of  the  Thirty  Years  War,  occurrina  i*^  the 
first  half  of  the  seven  teeth  century,  shook  Germany  to  its 
foundations.  Three-fourths  of  its  population  perished, 
and  the  country  was  set  back  one  hundred  and  fifty  years 
in  its  civilization.  In  this  long  drawn  out  contest  religious 
and  political  ambitions  were  interwoven.  But  war  con- 
linued  to  follow  war  at  short  intervals,  and  the  Germans 
had  a  surfeit  of  strife  that  lasted  until  the  full  development 
of  militarism  since  1860. 

On  the  left  bank  of  the  Rhine  and  adjacent  to  the 
frontier  of  France  is  the  fine  region  known  as  the  Pala- 
tinate. It  is  one-half  the  size  of  New  Jersey  and  is  justly 
called  the  garden  spot  of  Germany.  The  Palatines,  as  the 
inhabitants  are  called,  possess  the  steadiness,  thorough- 
ness, and  industry  that  are  characteristic  of  the  German 
nation.  They  are  good  gardeners  and  are  fond  of  flowers. 
John  Fiske  has  remarked  that  in  going  from  Strasburg 
to  Rotterdam  by  way  of  the  Palatinate,  "one  is  perpetually 
struck  witli  the  general  difl'usion  of  intelligence,  refine- 
ment, strength  of  character,  and  personal  dignity." 

One  of  the  later  episodes  of  the  intermittent  warfare 
of  which  we  have  just  spoken  was  the  devastation  of  this 
fertile  province.  Three  times  was  it  laid  waste  within 
twenty  years,  the  last  time,— in  1693,— with  a  ferocity 
which  recalls  the  far  more  horrible  doings  of  the  German 
armies  in  Belgium  and  France  in  191 1-18.  Dwellings  were 
burned,  orchards  were  cut  down,  wells  were  filled  up,  and 
cemeteries  were  violated.  This  havoc  is  justly  regarded 
as  one  of  the  darkest  pages  in  the  history  of  Europe, 
although  it   has  been   cast  into   the  background    by    the 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


27 


diabolic  infamies  perpetrated  during  the  recent  war  by  the 
express  command  of  the  German  government. 

The  Palatines  were  almost  wholly  Protestant  at  this 
time,  and  they  suffered  because  they  were  not  Catholics. 
But  although  their  oppressors  had  the  power  to  make  them 
homeless  and  destitute,  they  could  not  make  them  recant. 
William  Penn  visited  the  Rhine  and  addressed  the  refugees 
in  their  own  tongue.  He  invited  them  to  go  to  his  colony 
of  Pennsylvania.  A  few  of  them  migrated  as  early  as  1683, 
and  founded  German  town,  then  six  miles  from  Philadel- 
phia, but  now  a  part  of  that  city.  One  of  the  emigrants 
wrote  back  that,  ''what  pleases  me  here  is  thiil  G::e  can  be 
l^easant,  scholar,  priest,  and  nobleman  at  the  same  time." 
Favorable  reports  like  this  were  certain  to  induce  further 
emigration.  After  1702,  and  particular  after  1726,  the 
German  emigration  became  heavy.  It  was  the  Palatinate 
that  supplied  the  greater  share  of  the  comers  from  the 
valley  of  the  Rhine,  in  the  period,  1725-1775.  A  smaller 
share  came  from  Switzerland.  This  little  country  did  not 
suftVr  ill  the  Thirty  Year's  war  and  remained  prosperous. 
Bu*  Swilzcrlar.d  was  feudalistic  at  that  time  and  there  was 
little  real  freedom  for  the  mass  of  the  inhabitants.  Tlie 
Swir:i  emigrated  to  better  their  condition,  the  Palatines  to 
escape  the  tyranny  and  corruption  of  their  new  government. 

The  remaining  portion  of  the  German  immigration  to 
America  was  chieily  from  Wurtemburg.  Thus  it  will  be 
seen  that  this  German  influx  was  almost  exclusivelv  from 
the  upper  part  of  the  valley  of  the  Rhine.  Except  for  the 
few  Moravians  from  Saxon v,  the  north  of  German v  Jiad 
no  hand  in  the  movement.  The  South  Germans  differ  from 
the  Prussians,  who  are  not  true  Germans,  but  Germanized 
Slavs.  Yet  neither  are  the  people  of  the  upper  Rhine  typical 
Germans.  The  black  hair  and  dark  complexion  thev  so 
frequently  exhibit  are  due  to  a  very  extensive  blend  with 
an  earlier  and  brunette  population.  This  helps  to  explain 
why  the  Alsatians,  though  speaking  a  dialect  of  German, 
are  so  thoroughly  French  in  sentiment. 

When  the  Palatines  began  coming,  the  only  settled  por- 


28 


UNITED  BRETHREN 


tion  of  Pennsylvania  was  the  southeast  corner.  Here  were 
the  EngHsh  Quakers,  a  sprinkling  of  Swedes,  and  the  clus- 
ter of  earlier  comers  at  Germantown.  The  Scotch-Irish 
were  also  pouring  in.  When  it  came  to  a  "showdown," 
there  was  no  very  cordial  welcome  for  the  deluge  of 
strangers  that  bade  fair  to  submerge  the  population  al- 
ready on  the  ground.  The  Scot  ch-lrish  spoke  English  but 
were  not  meek  nor  easy  to  get  along  with.  The  Germans 
did  not  speak  English  and  some  of  their  customs  were  un- 
familiar. (Nevertheless,  they  were  from  the  industrial 
classes  of  Germany.)  They  were  intelligent,  moral,  self- 
sacrificing,  and  most  of  them  were  religiously  inclined. 
"No  people  in  America  were  so  subject  to  religious  excite- 
ment as  the  Germans  of  the  eighteenth  century."  They 
became  so  numerous  in  the  colony  that  Benjamin  Franklin 
began  the  publication  of  a  German  newspaper  in  1734. 
Certain  restrictive  laws  were  enacted  by  the  provincial 
government.  One  of  these  required  all  German  immigrants 
to  swear  allegiance  to  the  British  government  as  a  condi- 
tion of  their  admission  to  the  province.  The  records  kept 
as  a  result  of  this  act  give  the  name  of  the  ship,  the  port 
from  which  it  sailed,  the  date  of  its  arrival,  and  the  names 
of  its  passengers.  These  records  are  therefore  of  much 
genealogic  interest. 

Entire  counties  of  Pennsylvania,  such  as  Lancaster, 
York,  Berks,  Bucks,  and  Montgomery,  were  occupied  al- 
most wholly  by  these  German  immigrants.  The  wave 
overflowed  into  the  counties  of  Frederick  and  Washington 
in  Maryland. 

In  1727  began  the  peopling  of  "New  Virginia,"  which 
name  was  then  applied  to  the  section  of  Virginia  between 
the  Blue  Ridge  and  the  Alleghanies.  Along  and  near  the 
Potomac  this  district  was  settled  mainly  by  English  and 
Scotch-Irish  pioneers.  But  southward  from  Winchester, 
nearly  to  the  hue  between  Rockingham  and  Augusta,  the 
German  element  was  much  in  the  lead.  Augusta  w^as 
founded  by  the  Scotch-Irish  and  had  at  first  almost  no  Ger- 
mans at  all.     Of  the  two  classes  the  Scotch-Irish  were  the 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


29 


more  venturesome,  although  the  Germans  liked  plenty  of 
elbow  room  on  behalf  of  their  descendants.  So  the  former 
exhibited  a  strong  propensity  to  sell  out  and  get  nearer, 
ever  nearer,  to  the  inland  frontier.  Their  places  were 
often  taken  by  the  Germans.  By  the  operation  of  this 
tendency,  the  German  blood  in  varying  but  generally  large 
proportions,  is  now^  found  throughout  the  great  length  of 
the  Valley  of  Virginia. 

Nearly  all  the  German  settlers  arrived  by  way  of 
Pennsylvania.  A  small  number  came  across  the  Blue  Ridge 
from  the  colony  on  the  upper  Rapidan  founded  by  Gover- 
nor Spottswood  about  1710. 

In  1775,  one-third  of  the  300,000  inhabitants  of  Pennsyl- 
vania were  of  German  birth  or  parentage.  So  far  as  they 
adhered  to  any  church,  they  were  of  the  German  Reformed, 
Lutheran,  and  Mennonite  faiths,  the  strength  of  the  three 
bodies  being  in  the  order  of  their  mention.  As  with  all 
the  border  communities  of  that  day  there  was  much  lapsing 
with  respect  to  religious  conduct.  Many  of  the  settlements 
were  without  pastors,  houses  of  worship,  or  organized 
societies.  There  was  much  laxity  in  manners  and  morals, 
and  consequently  a  great  need  of  missionary  effort.  The 
German  pastors  were  so  few  that  they  could  seldom  visit 
a  frontier  neighborhood  oftener  than  once  or  twice  a  year. 

In  the  early  spring  of  1748,  Gottschalk,  a  Moravian  mis- 
sionary, speaks  thus  of  the  Massanutten  settlement,  situ- 
ated on  the  South  Branch  of  Shenandoah  river  just  above 
the  Luray  valley:  "Many  Germans  live  there.  Most  of  them 
are  Mennisten  (Mennonites),  who  are  in  a  bad  condition. 
Nearly  all  religious  earnestness  and  zeal  is  extinguished 
among  them.  Besides  them,  a  few  church  people  live 
there,  partly  Lutheran,  partly  Reformed."  Gottschalk  was 
much  hindered  in  his  efforts  by  the  opposition  of  the  resi- 
dent Lutheran  pastor,  and  the  prejudice  aroused  by  stories 
circulated  against  the  Moravians.  In  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  two  missionaries  of  this  sect  were  journeying  up  the 
valley  of  the  South  Fork  in  what  is  now  Pendleton  county. 
They  appointed  a  preaching  service  in  the  house  of  a  Ger- 


30 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


man  living  a  few  miles  above  where  Brandywine  now 
stands.  The  congregation  was  made  up  almost  wholly  of 
women  and  children.  The  men  of  the  settlement  were 
hunting  bear  in  Shenandoah  Mountain.  The  valley  had 
been  settled  only  about  three  years,  and  the  style  of  living 
is  described  in  the  journal  of  these  missionaries  as  primitive 
in  the  extreme.  They  did  not  hesitate  to  call  it  a  near 
approach  to  savagery.  By  a  much  more  recent  writer  it 
is  thus  described: 

"The  food,  clothing,  furniture  and  mode  of  life  among 
the  early  German  settlers  were  very  plain  and  simple.  They 
drank  nothing  but  water  and  milk  (sometimes  garden  tea), 
except  Sunday  morning,  when  they  always  had  coffee. 
Meat  was  seldom  eaten,  and  in  their  time  it  was  considered 
something  quite  extra  to  have  meat  on  the  table.  At  din- 
ner time  only,  did  they  have  meat,  and  then  the  father 
would  cut  it  in  small  pieces,  give  to  each  one  of  the  famih' 
his  allotted  share,  and  with  that  thev  had  to  be  satisfied. 
During  the  greater  part  of  the  year  they  had  hot  mush  and 
cold  milk  for  supper,  and  cold  mush  and  warm  milk  for 
breakfast.  It  would  have  been  considered  extravagant  to 
have  the  mush  fried  in  fat.  Soup,  of  different  kinds,  was 
much  used.  The  plates  from  which  they  ate  were  made 
of  pewter,  and  the  cups  from  which  they  drank  were 
earthen  mugs.  They  used  no  table  cloths.  The  father  sat 
at  one  end  of  the  table;  the  mother  at  the  other.  The  chil- 
dren stood,  sometimes  sat,  along  each  side  of  the  table  and 
ate  their  meal  in  silence:  there  was  little  talking  at  the 
table.  Each  one  ate  what  was  placed  before  him  without 
murmuring.  A  blessing  was  asked  before  every  meal  by 
the  father  or  mother.  As  soon  as  the  children  were  old 
enough  to  understand  the  meaning,  they  were  taught  short 
prayers  which  they  would  pray  in  regular  order,  each  one 
his  particular  and  distinct  prayer,  commencing  with  the 
oldest  and  ending  with  the  youngest.  No  carpets  graced 
the  floor  but  every  Saturday  it  was  scoured  clean  and  white 
with  sand  and  water.  The  furniture  was  as  simple  as  the 
fare.    On  each  side  of  the  hearth  a  square  block  was  made 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


31 


stationary  for  a  seat.  Benches  and  home-made  chairs  with 
seats  plaited  with  split  hickory  were  used.  Several  beds 
and  a  few  chests  made  up  the  principal  part  of  the  furni- 
ture. They  lived  in  this  plain  and  simple  way  but  they 
were  comfortable,  and  what  is  better  still,  they  were  con- 
tented." 

By  what  has  been  set  forth  in  the  above  paragraphs 
it  is  possible  to  gain  a  close  idea  of  social  and  religious 
conditions  in  1752  in  the  region  now  covered  by  the  Vir- 
ginia Conference  of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  It  was 
a  very  new  country.  It  was  the  American  West  of  1752 
in  just  as  real  a  sense  as  the  line  of  the  middle  Missouri 
was  the  American  West  of  1860.  In  each  instance  there 
was  much  recklessness  among  the  frontiersmen,  and  there 
was  a  falling  away  from  the  standard  of  active  religious 
life  in  the  homeland. 

In  closing  this  chapter  our  attention  is  called  to  the 
circumstance  that,  with  the  one  exception  of  the  Quakers, 
all  the  religious  pacifists  in  colonial  America  were  Ger- 
mans. Was  not  the  growth  of  these  German  sects  pro- 
foundly aided  by  the  social  turmoil  growing  out  of  the 
religious  wars  of  the  seventeenth  century?  And  did  not 
this  \^v\  turmoil  engender  among  those  who  suffered  from 
it  a  deep-seated  antipathy  to  warfare?  Perhaps  the  tenet 
of  non-resistance,  adopted  by  several  of  the  German  sects, 
was  primarily  a  protest  against  efforts  to  advance  the  cause 
of  religion  by  the  use  of  military  power.  It  was  but  a  step 
further  to  object  to  political  as  well  as  religious  wars. 


ir 


CHAPTER  V 

THE  EVANGELICAL  MOVEMENT  AMONG  THE 

GERMAN  IMMIGRANTS 

In  our  last  chapter  we  spoke  of  a  lack  of  religious 
teaching  among  the  German  settlers  along  the  inland 
frontier.  A  similar  fact  was  true  of  the  Scotch-Irish,  who 
were  the  dominant  element  on  the  same  border.  In  the 
older  communities,  on  and  near  the  Atlantic  seaboard,  the 
religious  privileges  were  as  good  as  were  known  anywhere 
in  that  century.  But  there  was  a  state  church  in  eleven 
of  the  thirteen  colonies,  its  houses  of  worship  and  its  par- 
sonages were  paid  for  out  of  public  taxation,  and  its  minis- 
ters were,  either  in  part  or  altogether,  supported  in  the 
same  manner.  Where  the  Church  of  England  prevailed, 
the  rector  was  provided  with  a  farm,  and  this  was  called 
a  glebe.  The  rectors  were  selected  by  the  higher  authorities 
of  the  church,  and  not  by  the  congregations  to  whom  they 
ministered. 

There  was  an  unfortunate  side  of  the  influence  of  a 
church  supported  by  the  civil  government  and  by  public 
taxation.  There  was  an  almost  irresistible  drift  to  an 
accepted  standard  of  merely  formal  piety,  such  as  is  spoken 
of  in  our  sketch  of  William  Otterbein.  It  was  often  the 
case  that  the  minister  was  as  worldly-minded  as  the  aver- 
age man  of  the  community.  If  under  such  circumstances,, 
there  was  any  spiritual  life  in  a  congregation,  it  was  in 
spite  of  the  system  and  not  as  a  consequence  of  it.  The 
ministers  of  the  Presbyterian,  Congregational,  and  Re- 
formed churches,  all  which  were  kindred  denominations, 
had  a  very  real  interest  in  the  well-being  of  the  people 
under  their  care.  But  in  their  preaching  there  was  too 
little  of  the  reformatory  and  too  much  of  the  dogmatic 
and  argumentative.  And  the  prevalence  in  these  com- 
munions of  very  long  pastorates,  even  of  fifty  and  sixty 
years,  led  to  routine  methods,  spiritual  sluggishness,  and 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


33 


11 


churchly  dry-rot.  In  a  word,  formahsm  in  religion  was 
everywhere  the  rule  and  not  the  exception.  The  times 
were  very  much  in  need  of  a  loosening  up  of  the  parched 
surface.  In  Germany,  something  was  being  dene  in  this 
direction  by  the  Moravians  and  the  Pietists;  in  England, 
by  the  Wesleys,  whose  methods  were  substantially  the  same 
as  those  of  Spener,  the  founder  of  the  Pietists;  in  America, 
by  Wesleyan  missionaries,  by  the  New  Lights,  and  at  a 
later  period  by  the  founders  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church. 

In  a  political  sense  the  American  Revolution  was  a  good, 
but  from  another  point  of  view  it  was  an  eveil.  It  inter- 
rupted the  peaceful  trend  of  the  evangelistic  movement. 
Partly  through  the  influence  of  foreigners,  the  free  thought 
then  so  rampant  in  Europe  was  scattered  broadcast  on  the 
American  soil.  Rehgion  was  discredited  by  the  formalism 
so  often  seen  among  the  church  people.  In  the  popular 
estimation  it  was  looked  upon  as  a  lifeless  garment  w^hich 
might  as  w^ell  be  thrown  aside.  Thus  was  prepared  a  con- 
genial field  for  the  nurture  of  infidelity  and  near-infidehty. 
Experimental  religion  w^as  deemed  weak  and  silly.  Family 
worship  was  thought  to  be  aff'ectation,  and  many  of  the 
ministers  themselves  gloried  in  letting  it  alone.  Among 
the  students  at  Yale  College  in  1795  were  only  about  five 
members  of  any  church.  William  and  Mary,  which  was 
the  only  college  in  Virginia,  was  a  hotbed  of  unbelief. 
Bishop  Meade  of  the  Episcopal  Church  said  in  1810  that 
nearly  every  educated  young  Virginian  was  a  skeptic.  The 
same  fact  was  generally  true  of  the  professional  men  in  all 
the  states.  In  short,  the  Christian  religion  was  held  in 
scorn  and  it  was  the  common  opinion  that  it  was  outworn 
and  would  soon  pass  out  of  existence.  Gross  drunkenness 
was  not  only  an  everyday  occurrence,  but  it  was  almost  as 
common  among  ministers  and  other  church  members  as 
among  people  in  general. 

The  portrait  of  the  times  that  has  been  drawn  in  the 
last  paragraph  is  startling.  And  yet  its  accuracy  is  attested 
by  the  best  of  evidence.    After  1825  there  was  a  marked 


34 


UNITED   BRETHHEX 


^: 


improvement  with  respect  to  religion  and  temperance,  but 
this  only  emphasizes  the  fact  that  during  the  long  period 
between  1750  and  1825, — the  lifetime  of  an  elderly  per- 
son,— America  was  sadly  in  need  of  evangelical  instruction. 
As  in  the  instances  of  Otterbein  and  Boehm,  there  were 
a  few  evangelistic  reformers  in  all  the  churches.  Finding 
themselves  lonesome  in  the  stifling  atmosphere  of  their 
own  denominations,  they  leaped  over  sectarian  lines  and 
sought  each  other's  society  in  religious  gatherings.  These 
gatherings  developed  into  the  "big  meetings"  held  in  barns 
and  groves,  owing  to  the  lack  of  church  buildings  of  suf- 
ficient size. 

Our  narrative  now  brings  us  to  the  memorable  meeting 
between  Otterbein  and  Boehm.  It  took  place  in  the  large 
barn  of  Isaac  Long  in  Lancaster  county  in  Pennsylvania. 
There  were  more  people  present  than  could  get  into  the 
huge  structure.  Those  who  crowded  into  the  barn  w^ere 
addressed  by  Boehm.  An  overflov.  meeting  in  the  orchard 
was  conducted  by  one  or  more  of  tiie  ''Virginia  preachers" 
who  were  present.  The  New  Light  followers  of  White- 
field  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia  were  known  as  the  "Virginia 
preachers."  The  meeting  took  place  on  Whitsunday,  and 
the  year  is  believed  to  have  been  1768.  Otterbein  had  left 
the  city  of  Lancaster  and  was  preaching  on  the  Tulpe- 
hocken.  Boehm  had  not  yet  been  disfellowshiped  by  the 
Mennonites.  The  crowd  at  Long's  was  made  up  of  Ger- 
mans and  the  preaching  was  in  the  German  language. 
Perhaps  all  the  distinctively  German  sects  then  known  in 
America  were  represented  at  this  meeting.  In  what  way 
Otterbein  came  to  be  here  is  not  known.  There  was  little 
in  common  between  the  Reformed  and  the  Mennonite 
churches,  and  there  was  a  great  lack  of  cordiality  in  the 
relations  between  them.  But  Otterbein  sat  on  the  plat- 
form near  Boehm  and  listened  to  that  minister  with  warm- 
hearted appreciation.  At  the  close  of  the  sermon  he  clasped 
Boehm  in  his  arms  with  the  significant  exclamation:  "We 
are  brethren."  From  this  time  forward,  these  two  men, 
dissimilar  in  training  and  education,  were  united  in  the 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


35 


Ji 


i 


firm  bonds  of  religious  fellowship.  Early  tradition  has  it 
that  at  the  close  of  this  meeting  Otterbein,  Boehm,  and 
the  Virginia  preachers  entered  into  a  form  of  union  on 
some  simple  yet  definite  conditions.  Even  the  official  name 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  is  believed  to  date  from 
the  exclamation  by  Otterbein. 

In  fellowship  with  the  leaders  of  such  meetings  as  this, 
Otterbein  found  what  he  desired.  The  leaders  were  at 
first  regular  authorized  ministers  of  various  Protestant 
sects.  But  in  evangelical  spirit  they  stood  on  common 
ground.  Thus  came  into  being  the  ministerial  intimacy 
between  the  scholarly  Otterbein  and  the  comparatively 
unlettered  farmer-preachers,  Boehm  and  Newcomer.  An- 
other associate  was  Guething,  a  Reformed  minister,  yet 
with  only  enough  education  to  teach  a  country  school. 

However,  Otterbein  was  not  without  other  congenial 
spirits  in  his  own  church.  Hendel,  Wagner,  Hautz,  Henop, 
and  Weimer  were  brother  ministers  who  agreed  with  him 
as  to  methods.  Adopting  the  system  of  Spener,  they  formed 
in  the  spring  of  1774  the  society  known  as  "The  United 
Ministers."  Thev  formed  classes  within  their  own  con- 
gregations  and  congregations  that  w^ere  without  pastors. 
General  meetings  were  held  twice  a  year,  "that  those  thus 
united  may  encourage  one  another,  pray  and  sing  in  unison, 
and  watch  over  one  another's  conduct.  All  those  who  are 
thus  united  are  to  take  heed  that  no  disturbances  occur 
among  them,  and  that  the  affairs  of  the  congregations  be 
conducted  and  managed  in  an  orderly  manner."  But  the 
war  for  American  Independence  seems  to  have  worked  a 
suspension  of  these  efforts. 

We  have  remarked  that  it  was  an  independent  congre- 
gation of  the  Reformed  Church  to  which  Otterbein  was 
called  in  1774.  It  had  had  a  pastor  whose  ministrations 
were  very  formal  and  whose  life  was  inconsistent.  The 
evangelical  minority  seceded  in  1771,  called  Benedict  Swope 
as  their  pastor,  bought  a  lot,  and  built  a  frame  house,  suc- 
ceeded in  1786  by  the  historic  brick  church  now  standing 
on  the  spot.     The  title  to  the  property  was  not  vested  in 


36 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


the  Reformed  Church  at  all,  but  in  chosen  members  of 
the  congregation.  After  a  long  drawn  out  law  suit  the 
validity  of  the  title  was  upheld.  The  authorities  of  the 
Reformed  Church  tried  without  success  to  bring  about  a 
reconciliation.  In  1774  Otterbein,  who  was  already  no 
stranger  in  Baltimore,  was  called.  This  independent  body 
styled  itself  an  "Evangelical  Reformed"  church,  and  was 
not  definitely  received  into  the  United  Brethren  fold  until 
1817.  It  did  not  acknowledge  the  authority  of  the  Re- 
formed synod,  nor  was  it  disowned  by  that  body.  But  in 
theology  Otterbein's  church  was  Arminian,  while  the 
Reformed  Church  upheld  Calvinism.  The  class-meeting 
adopted  as  a  feature  of  the  Baltimore  church,  was  unknown 
to  the  Reformed  Church.  The  congregation  adopted  its 
own  rules  of  government. 

In  substance  these  rules  were  as  follows:  Each  member 
w^as  to  attend  faithfully  at  all  times  of  worship,  and  to  per- 
form no  business  or  needless  travel  on  Sunday;  family 
worship  was  enjoined  on  all  members,  and  offenses  between 
member  and  member  were  to  be  dealt  with  as  in  the  eigh- 
teenth chapter  of  Matthew;  the  slanderer  was  first  to  be 
admonished  privately,  then,  if  necessary,  openly  rebuked 
in  class-meeting;  members  of  other  churches  were  ad- 
mitted to  communion,  and  persons  who  were  not  members 
were  admitted  by  consent  of  the  vestry  if  no  objection  were 
made.  Still  other  rules  were  these:  There  was  to  be  a 
class-meeting  each  week,  an  evening  session  for  the  men, 
a  day-time  session  for  the  women.  No  person  was  to  be 
admifted  to  such  meeting  unless  resolved  to  seek  his  salva- 
tion and  obey  the  disciplinary  rules.  The  meetings  were 
to  begin  and  end  with  singing  and  prayer.  Persistent 
absence  without  cause  was  to  work  expulsion.  No  preacher 
was  to  be  retained  who  upheld  predestination  or  the  per- 
severance of  the  saints,  or  who  was  out  of  harmony  with 
the  disciplinary  rules  and  the  modes  of  worship,  and  on  an 
accusation  of  immorality  he  might  at  once  be  suspended. 
One  of  the  highest  duties  was  to  watch  over  the  rising 
youth.  There  was  to  be  one  day  of  fasting  in  the  spring  and 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


37 


one  in  the  fall.  A  parochial  school  with  instruction  in  the 
German  tongue  was  to  be  established.  The  pastor,  the 
three  elders,  and  the  three  trustees  were  to  constitute  the 
vestry,  wliich  was  the  custodian  of  all  deeds  and  other 
papers  of  importance.  A  highly  significant  rule  was  that 
the  pastor  was  to  care  for  the  various  churches  in  Mary- 
land, Pennsylvania,  and  Virginia  that  were  supervised  by 
Otterbein  and  "in  unity  with  us,"  and  to  give  all  possible 
encouragement  to  lay  preachers  and  exhorters.  Thus 
Otterbein's  church  in  Baliimore  was  a  mother  church  to 
various  congregations  scattered  over  several  counties  of 
the  three  states,  and  may  be  regarded  as  the  primary  organi- 
zation of  the  sect  with  which  it  was  to  unite. 

The  men  who  founded  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ  did  not  wish  to  come  out  from  the  churches 
with  which  they  had  been  associated.  Their  aim  was  to 
promote  spirituality  within  the  parent  body.  Spiritual 
inertia  and  a  rising  tide  of  opposition  extinguished  Otter- 
bein's hope  of  working  w^holly  within  the  Reformed 
Church.  Nevertheless,  he  never  actually  withdrew  from  it, 
and  until  the  very  last  his  name  was  carried  on  its  minis- 
terial roll.  And  this  was  in  face  of  the  fact  that  he  was 
criticized  and  persecuted  by  some  of  the  Reformed  minis- 
ters. Boehm,  as  we  have  seen,  was  cast  out  from  the 
Mennonite  sect.  His  followers  were  also  excluded  "until 
in  true  sorrow^  and  penitence  they  should  return  and 
acknowledge  their  errors,  both  to  God  and  the  Church." 

Both  Otterbein  and  Boehm  felt  impelled  to  extend  their 
usefulness  by  going  beyond  their  own  immediate  boun- 
daries. Each  of  these  men  preached  with  greatly  enlarged 
j)ower,  because  endowed  with,  a  special  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  But  each  labored  chiefly  among  the  people  of 
his  own  denomination  and  such  other  persons  as  came 
within  his  sphere  of  influence. 

For  some  years  the  adherents  of  the  new^  movement 
came  most  largely  from  the  Reformed  Church.  After  the 
fathers  of  the  United  Brethren  died,  a  revival  spirit  within 
the  Reformed  Church  curtailed  the  number  of  accessions. 


38 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


from  that  quarter.  But  for  forty  years  semi-independent 
Mennonite  circles  continued  to  push  their  way  into  the 
newly  founded  church.  Otterbein  and  Boehm  and  their 
co-laborers  had  no  choice.  The  duty  was  upon  them  to 
l^rovide  an  ecclesiastical  home  for  their  followers.  These 
followers  were  ostracized  and  even  persecuted  in  the 
churches  from  which  they  had  come,  and  they  were  derided 
by  worldly  people.  They  must  have  some  place  to  go.  It 
was  the  logic  of  circumstances  that  founded  the  United 
Brethren. 

In  the  gradual  development  of  the  work  by  Otterbein 
and  Boehm,  congregations  were  formed,  and  these  were 
I)resided  over  by  local  preachers,  who  were  at  the  same 
time  lay  preachers,  since  they  had  to  derive  their  liveli- 
hood from  secular  pursuits.  Some  of  these  men  were 
class-leaders  at  first.  Others  felt  more  distinctly  the  call 
to  an  active  ministry.  As  a  rule  they  were  men  of  little 
education  yet  of  warm  spirituality.  For  a  long  while  these 
local  i)reachers  worked  under  the  general  direction  of 
Otterbein  and  Boehm,  who  were  therefore  self-constituted 
bishops.  The  great  meetings  afforded  much  opportunity 
for  counsel.  But  it  was  increasingly  felt  that  a  more 
definite  and  systematc  procedure  should  be  adopted. 

The  first  actual  conference  in  the  history  of  the  United 
Brethren   Church  met  in  Baltimore  in   1789,   and  in   the 
parsonage  of  William  Otterbein.     Besides  the  two  leaders 
there  were  present  George  A.   Guething,   Christian  New- 
comer, Henry  Weidner,  Adam  Lehman,  and  John  Ernst 
Seven    others    were    absent.     Of    the    fourteen    preachers 
recognized  as  belonging  to  the  conference,  nine  had  come 
from  the  Reformed  Church,  four  from  the  Mennonites,  and 
one  from  the  Moravians.     It  had  been  twenty-two  years 
since  the  first  meeting  between  Otterbein  and  Boehm  at 
Long's  barn,  and  more  than  ten  years  since  Boehm  had 
been  cast  out  of  the  Mennonite  Church.     Both  men  were 
past  their  prime  and  were  more  than  sixty  years  of  aae 
This  marshaling  of  figures  shows  in  an  impressive  manner 
how  gradual  and  informal  had  been  the  rise  of  the  United 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


39 


Brethren  movement.  And  even  this  first  conference  did 
not  go  so  far  as  to  effect  a  complete  and  well-rounded 
organization.  It  is  not  certain  that  it  adopted  the  actual 
name  by  which  the  church  is  officially  known.  Yet  it  did 
adopt  a  comprehensive  Confession  of  Faith  and  Rules  ot 
Discipline.  Doubtless  this  little  group  of  men  reahzed 
that  the  hour  had  not  quite  arrived  for  the  precise  details 
of  a  thoroughgoing  organization.  The  church  they  were 
founding  was  a  growth,  an  evolution.  It  was  not  a  thing 
made  to  order. 

The  final  clause  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  then  adoi)ted 
is  significant  of  the  concessions  made  by  the  two  leading 
elements  which  combined  to  form  the  United  Brethren. 
In  tradition  and  tendency  the  German  Reformed  and  Men- 
nonite churches  were  far  apart.  The  former  baptized  in- 
fants, while  the  latter  did  not.  The  latter  made  the  wash- 
ing of  feet  a  sacrament,  while  the  former  regarded  it  merely 
as  an  example.  Neither  party  could  be  expected  to  come 
at  once  and  unreservedly  to  the  viewpoint  of  the  other  side. 
But  each  party  could  be  charitable  with  regard  to  a  differ- 
ence of  opinion,  and  this  is  what  took  place.  The 
clause  in  question  is  a  compromise  and  is  tolerant  and 
broad.  In  the  United  Brethren  Church,  three  modes  of 
baptism  are  recognized,  and  it  is  the  privilege  of  the  can- 
didate to  choose  between  sprinking,  i)ouring,  and  immer- 
sion.    The  washing  of  feet  is  not  held  to  be  an  ordinance. 

The  second  conference  was  held  in  1791  at  the  home  of 
John  Spangler,  eight  miles  from  the  city  of  York.  Nine 
members  were  present  and  thirteen  were  absent.  But  the 
large  number  of  absentees  does  not  indicate  indifference. 
At  that  time  the  highways  were  abominable.  There  were 
no  railroads,  automobiles,  or  telephones.  The  mails  were 
slow,  and  letter  postage  was  high.  And  as  there  was  not 
yet  an  organized  itinerancy,  it  was  not  the  business  of  the 
conference  to  decide  where  the  several  preachers  were  to 
work.    This  was  a  matter  they  decided  for  themselves. 


CHAPTER  VI 


EARLY  YEARS  OF  THE  CHURCH 

In  the  early  conferences  of  the  United  Brethren,  busi- 
ness was  a  very  subordinate  matter.  There  were  no  com- 
mittees. Everything  done  was  done  by  the  body  as  a 
whole.  Circuits  were  laid  out  by  the  preachers  themselves 
and  not  by  the  conference.  The  preachers  met  for  mutual 
encouragement  and  spent  nearly  all  the  session  in  religious 
services.  It  is  therefore  easy  to  account  for  the  brevity 
of  the  minutes  of  these  conferences. 

The  conferences  of  1789  and  1791  were  in  the  nature  of 
informal,  advisory  meetings  between  two  de  facto  bishops 
and  the  small  band  of  local  preachers  working  under  their 
direction.  Otterbein  and  Boehm  acted  as  bishops,  but  there 
was  no  definite  organization  to  elect  them  to  the  office.  The 
primar>-  object  of  these  two  assemblages  was  mutual 
advice  and  consultation.  This  fact  helps  to  bring  out  the 
progressive  nature  of  what  began  as  a  movement  and 
gradually  developed  into  a  compact  organization. 

The  United  Brethren  movement  was  one  of  the  results 
of  the  revival  period  of  1750-1825.  It  was  very  hard  to 
reform  the  old  German  congregations  and  bring  them  to 
the  New  Testament  standard  of  law  and  order.  Otter- 
bein's  flock  at  Lancaster  was  disorderly,  and  like  some 
others  it  had  been  in  the  hands  of  incompetent  pastors. 
The  fathers  of  the  United  Brethren  denomination  were 
committed  to  the  idea  of  a  spiritual  church.  They  were 
not  designedly  "come-outers."  Yet  they  could  not  stay  in 
the  church  homes  that  had  reared  them,  because  of  the 
narrow  and  vituperative  conservatism  which  could  not 
brook  any  change  in  the  old  order  of  things. 

The  followers  of  the  new  movement  had  not  been 
known  by  any  general  name.  Such  terms  as  "the  Breth- 
ren," "the  Unsectarian,"  and  "the  Liberty  People"  were 
applied  to  them.     Still  other  designations  were  the  "New 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


41 


Reformed"  and  the  "New  Mennonites."  Sometimes  the 
names  of  the  leaders  would  be  used,  and  they  would  be 
styled  "Otterbein's  People,"  or  "Boehm's  People."  There 
were  also  semi-independent  groups  of  Mennonites,  such  as 
"Light's  People,"  who  w^ere  drifting  toward  the  new  church. 
In  1820  Peter  Cartwright  speaks  of  a  tavern-keeper  at 
Knoxville,  Tennessee,  whom  he  calls  an  "Otterbein  Metho- 
dist." 

As  a  distinct  church  the  United  Brethren  sect  begins 
with  the  meeting  held  in  September,  1800,  at  the  house  of 
Peter  Kemp,  two  miles  west  of  Frederick,  Maryland. 
Fourteen  preachers  appeared.  Their  two-day  meeting  did 
not  call  itself  a  general  conference,  although  it  exercised 
the  functions  of  one.  It  chose  a  name  for  the  new  denomi- 
nation and  it  elected  bishops. 

It  seems  to  have  been  easy  for  these  men  to  agree  on 
the  name  bv  which  the  church  has  ever  since  been  known. 
It  was  not  enough  to  use  the  simpler  form  of  "United 
Brethren,"  because  this  was  already  the  official  name  of 
the  Moravian  body.  To  avoid  uncertainty,  especially  in 
matters  that  might  involve  questions  in  law,  the  words 
"in  Christ"  were  added. 

William  Otterbein  and  Martin  Boehm,  who  were  already 
bishops  in  effect,  were  now  elected  as  such.  Otterbein  was 
now  seventy-four  years  of  age  and  Boehm  was  seventy-five. 

The  first  printed  Discipline  says  this  of  the  first  con- 
ference: "The  preachers  were  obliged  to  appoint  an  annual 
conference  in  order  to  unite  themselves  more  closely,  and 
to  labor  more  successfully  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord; 
for  some  had  been  Presbyterian,  or  German  Beformed, 
some  Lutherans,  and  others  Menonists." 

In  1801  came  the  beginning  of  an  itinerant  system,  ten 
men  consenting  to  travel  as  directed  b)^  the  bishops,  in- 
stead of  laying  out  circuits  for  themselves.  Stil!  more 
method  was  introduced  into  the  system  by  the  conference 
of  1802.  One  or  two  of  the  preachers  would  agree  to  serve 
as  presiding  elders.  The  action  taken  in  this  matter  was 
generally  informal  and  usually  unanimous. 


42 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


Ever  since  the  meeting  at  Kemp's,  there  has  been  a 
regular  and  uninterrupted  succession  of  general  confer- 
ences. Until  1810  there  was  but  one  annual  conference  for 
the  entire  church.  The  first  new  conference  was  the  Miami, 
set  oft'  in  that  year.  In  1829  the  Eastern,  or  original.  Con- 
ference was  divided  into  the  Hagerstown  and  Harrisburg 
conferences,  the  former  including  the  Virginia  territory, 
and  the  latter  becoming  the  Pennsylvania  Conference. 
The  first  conference  to  be  definitely  known  as  a  general 
conference  was  held  in  June,  1815,  in  a  log  schoolhouse 
of  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania.  It  adopted  a  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  substantially  the  same  as  that  of  1789, 
and  Rules  of  Discipline,  based  on  those  of  Otterbein's 
church  in  Baltimore.  The  Discipline  was  ordered  to  be 
printed,  but  only  in  German.  However,  the  next  general 
conference,  that  of  1817,  ordered  that  100  copies  of  the 
Revised  Discipline  be  i)rinted  in  English.  This  book  in- 
cludes forms  for  the  ceremony  of  marriage  and  the  ordina- 
tion of  bishops  and  ministers.  The  Confessiona  of  Faith 
"rests  on  the  Apostles'  Creed  and  the  New  Testament,  and 
adds  only  those  necessary  specifications  in  regard  to  the 
application  and  mission  of  the  gospel  that  even  the  simplest 
of  the  later  creeds  have  been  compelled  to  include.  The 
creed  might  be  called  a  working  creed  for  a  revival  peo- 
ple."* 

In  1841  the  Confession  of  Faith  was  revised  and  a  Con- 
stitution adopted.    These  remained  in  force  until  1889. 

It  had  now  been  half  a  century  since  the  meeting  of 
Otterbein  and  Boehm  in  Long's  barn.  The  early  fathers 
of  the  United  Brethren  had  passed  away.  Thirteen  years 
more  and  the  ministrv  had  ceased  to  be  exclusivelv  local. 
The  pioneer  period  in  the  history  of  the  church  may  there- 
fore be  considered  to  close  in  1830. 

Of  the  three  leading  fathers  of  the  church,  Otterbein 
was  the  skilled  theologian.  He  was  eloquent  and  argu- 
mentative, and  his  elucidation  of  Scriptural  truth  was  ex- 
ceptionally clear.    Boehm  was  essentially  an  exhorter,  and 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


43 


H 


his  appeal  was  to  the  feelings.  Geeting  was  regarded  by 
Henry  Boehm  as  the  greatest  orator  among  the  United 
Brethren. 

It  is  well  for  us  to  speak  further  of  George  Adam  Geet- 
ing, whose  name  in  German  tongue  is  spelled  Guethmg. 
He  came  to  America  in  his  youth,  and  settled  about  1759 
on  Antietam  Creek  near  the  present  town  of  Keedysville. 
In  winter  he  taught  school  and  in  the  warm  weather  he 
quarried  rock  and  dug  wells.    He  seems  to  have  been  con- 
verted through  the  preaching  of  Otterbein  and  he  at  once 
became  an  earnest  Christian.    For  a  while  he  read  printed 
sermons  to  his  congregation.    Discerning  that  Geeting  Avas 
capable  of  doing  better  than  this,  Otterbein  had  a  friend 
come  up  behind  the  young  preacher  and  take  the  book  out 
of  his  hand.     Geeting  was  thus  thrown  back  on  his  own 
resources,  yet  dehvered  an  impressive  discourse.     In  1783 
he  was  ordained  as  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church. 
The  Geeting  meeting  house,  a  small  log  building  dating 
from  a  little  before  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution,  is 
belic\cd  to  have  been  the  first  house  of  worship  built  by 
Otterbien's  followers  of  the  revival  movement.     Otterbein 
was   too  heavy  a   man   to  be   cast   out   of   the   Reformed 
Church,  yet  Geeting  was  expelled  for  "wildly  fanatical" 
preachip.g  that  was  at  variance  with  "decency  and  order." 
Thenceforward,  his  home  was  with  the  new  church,   of 
which  he  has  been  called  the  St.  John,  and  also  the  Apollos. 
He  was  the  traveling  companion  and  adviser  of  Otterbein. 
His  house  was  a  favorite  stopping  place  for  Newcomer 
and  other  early  preachers.     His   meeting  house   was   an 
Antioch  to  the  young  church  and  many  revivals  took  place 
here.    Geeting  died  in  1812  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years. 
Otterbein,  Boehm,  and  Geeting  were  the  "clover  leaf"  of 
the  early  church,  and  their  departure  occurred  at  nearly 
the  same  time.     This  coincidence,  coming  as  it  did  in  the 
formative  period  of  the  church,  had  a  depressing  effect. 
Much  depended  on  the  new  leadership  that  became  neces- 
sary. 


•Drury. 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


45 


CHAPTER  VH 

PLANTING  THE  CHURCH  IN  VIRGINIA 

The  German  im migration  to  America  made  its  earliest 
home  in  the  southeast  of  Pennsylvania.  The  county  ol 
Lancaster,  in  that  state,  is,  more  than  any  other,  the  first 
seat  of  United  Brethrenism. 

Like  all  other  immigrants,  the  German  wanted  plenty 
of  elbow  room.  To  be  nearer  than  half  a  mile  to  a  neigh- 
bor was  considering  crowding.  A  mile  was  thought  near 
enough  to  be  comfortable.  And  there  seemed  to  be  plenty 
of  elbow  room,  for  the  continent  appeared  to  stretch  in- 
terminably westward. 

So,  as  their  numbers  increased,  the  German  families 
flocked  over  the  colonial  boundary  into  Maryland,  and 
thence  into  that  i)art  of  the  Valley  of  Virginia  lying  between 
Winchester  and  the  vicinity  of  Harrisonburg.  The  district 
next  the  Potomac,  on  the  Virginia  side,  was  rather  avoided 
because  of  the  litigation  between  Lord  Fairfax  and  Joist 
Hite,  and  the  consequent  dilTiculty  of  getting  good  titles. 
The  country  south  of  Harrisonburg  was  at  fh'st  peopled  only 
bv  the  Scotch-Irish,  but  it  was  not  long  until  German  set- 
tiers  moved  onward  as  the  more  restless  Scotch-Irish 
pressed  still  farther  to  the  south  and  west. 

The  German  settlers  were  partial  to  good  lands,  such  as 
the  limestone  belts  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia.  Also,  they 
were  unwilling  to  make  a  home  unless  it  could  be  near 
a  good  spring.  Furthermore,  they  were  conservative. 
They  did  not  want  change.  They  wanted  to  do  as  they 
had  been  used  to  doing,  and  they  lield  to  the  old  even  at 
the  cost  of  becoming  unprogressive.  And  so  far  as  they 
adhered  tenaciously  to  their  mother  tongue  they  remained 
foreigners  in  feeling. 

Among  the  Germans  coming  to  the  Shenandoali  coun- 
irv  were  families  who  had  taken  ])art  in  the  great  meet- 
im^s  in  Pennsvlvania  and  Marvland.     Some  of  them  were 


M 


related  to  Geeting,  Newcomer,  and  others  of  the  early 
preachers.  So  the  preachers  they  had  known  north  of  the 
Potomac  followed  them  and  held  great  meetings  in  the 
Valley,  particularly  near  Mount  Jackson. 

The  site  of  Keedysville,  near  Antietam  Creek  in  Mary- 
land, was  the  home  of  George  Geeting,  Otterbein's  chief 
adviser.  His  home  was  also  a  headquarters  for  Boehm, 
Newcomer,  and  other  preachers.  At  Beaver  Creek,  a  dozen 
miles  eastward  across  the  mountains,  was  where  New- 
comer lived.  Farther  east  were  the  Kemps  and  others. 
A  few  miles  farther  north  were  the  Draksels,  Mayers, 
Baers,  Browns,  Hersheys,  Russells,  and  others,  while  on 
the  Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac  and  within  a  day's  ride 
were  Ambrose,  Strickler,  Senseny,  the  Niswanders, — Isaac 
and  Abraham,  and  the  three  Duckwalds, — Ludwig,  Henry, 
and  Frederick.  Still  others  were  the  twin  brothers, — Henry 
and  Christian  Crum.  Thus  there  were  gathered  at  Antie- 
tam, as  a  central  point,  those  who  were  fired  with  a  com- 
mon spirit.  The  great  religious  experiences  they  had 
enjoyed  were  told  in  a  wonderful  way  to  the  throngs 
attracted  bv  interest  and  noveltv. 

Strong  congregations  were  soon  formed  around  Win- 
chester, at  Sleepy  Creek,  and  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge  in 
Loudoun  county.  The  last  named  locality  was  often  visited 
by  Bishop  Newcomer.  But  by  reason  of  emigration  this 
floik  passed  out  of  existence  more  than  a  centuiy  ago. 

Before  1815  there  was  quite  an  exodus  of  these  people 
across  the  Alleghanies  into  Ohio  and  the  west  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. It  came  thus  that  the  Miami,  the  first  daughter 
conference,  was  organized  largely  by  the  preachers  who 
had  come  from  the  East,  for  up  to  this  time,  the  whole 
work  was  embraced  in  the  Eastern,  or  original,  confer- 
ence. The  families  who  settled  in  the  west  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, especially  in  Westmoreland  county,  were  active  and 
loyal,  and  laid  the  foundations  for  the  present  prosperous 
United  Brethren  Church  in  that  favored  region. 

Almost  the  only  record  we  have  of  the  earh^  work  of 
these  circuit  riders  is  found  in  Newcomer's  Journal,  pub- 


4Q 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


lished  in  1835.  It  was  not  intended  for  publication,  and 
its  brevity  is  often  disappointing  to  those  who  would  like 
more  complete  information.  The  Journal,  after  its  pub- 
lication, was  evidently  sold  by  the  itinerants.* 

When  eighty-one  years  old,  Newcomer  attempted  a  trip 
into  Virginia.  Sunday,  March  1,  1830,  he  rode  to  the  home 
of  Michael  Thomas  at  Boonsboro,  nine  miles  from  his  own 
house,  and  lodged  there  for  the  night.  Next  morning  he 
was  too  ill  to  go  on  and  he  returned.  Wednesday,  he  wrote 
thus:  "This  forenoon  I  tried  to  write  in  my  journal,  but 
alas!  I  find  that  I  am  not  able  to  perform  the  task,  so  1 
lay  down  my  pen.  The  Lord  alone  knows  whether  I  shall 
be  able  to  resume  it  again.  The  Lord's  will  be  done.  Amen. 
Hallelujah." 

It  is  this  record  of  Newcomer  that  gives  early  circuits 
in  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  Ohio.  It  is  not 
by  any  means  a  complete  record,  as  it  gives  only  the  tours 
by  himself  and  his  companions,  for  he  seldom  traveled 
alone. 

Just  before  the  first  annual  conference  at  Kemp's,  in 
Stepember,  1800,  Newx'omer  made  a  tour  of  the  Virginia 
circuit.  This  time  he  was  accompanied  by  Martin  Boehm 
and  his  son,  Henry.  Another  preacher.  Christian  Crum, 
lived  at  Pleasant  Valley,  eight  miles  northeast  of  Winches- 
ter, on  what  has  since  been  known  as  the  Jacob  Hott  place. 
For  years  this  was  the  first  stopping  place  of  the  German 
preachers,  and  here  these  three  men  held  their  opening 
service  on  the  Virginia  circuit.  They  arrived  Monday  night, 
September  1,  and  the  elder  Boehm  preached.  He  preached 
again  at  Dr.  Senseny's  in  Winchester,  and  a  Methodist 
preacher  followed  with  an  exhortation.  Wednesday,  they 
held  a  meeting  at  Abraham  Niswander's,  near  Middletown, 
and  then  rode  to  the  house  of  A.  Boehm,  a  relative  to  the 
bishop,  where  Newcomer  preached  and  was  followed  by 
Henry  Boehm.  Thursday  forenoon  they  preached  at  Jacob 
Funkhouser's  west  of  Fisher's  Hill,  riding  thence  to  Wood- 

*The  copy  owned  by  A.  P.  Funkhouser  was  purchased  bv  his 
paternal  grandfather  in  18.37,  as  witnessed  by  his  autoaraph  signa- 
ture and  the  date. 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


47 


stock  and  lodging  with  one  Zehrung,  who,  by  the  way, 
gave  a  lot  for  a  church  in  Woodstock.  This  gift  was  made 
more  than  a  hundred  years  ago.  The  bishop  preached  in 
a  church  at  Woodstock  Friday  morning,  and  then  they 
rode  to  Jacob  Rhinehart's,  where  Newcomer  preached. 
Saturday  and  Sunday  there  w^as  a  meeting  at  the  widow 
Kagey's  on  Smith's  Creek.  Bishop  Boehm  preached  in 
German  and  was  followed  by  his  son  Henry  in  English. 
Then  they  rode  to  a  Mr.  Bender's,  where  Newcomer 
preached.  After  they  had  retired.  Bender's  wife  began 
moaning  aloud.    They  arose  and  prayed  with  her. 

The  i)reachers  turned  out  very  early  Monday  morning, 
September  8,  and  rode  to  the  house  of  John  Peters  near 
New^  Market,  where  Newcomer  and  Boehm  preached  in 
German  and  Henry  Boehm  in  English.  After  dismissing 
the  people,  the  crowd  continued  to  stand  around  in  groups, 
crying  and  moaning,  so  another  meeting  was  held.  Ben- 
der's wife  had  followed  them  to  this  place,  was  converted, 
and  made  shoutingly  happy.  The  preachers  then  rode  to 
Homan's  in  Brock's  Gap.  In  the  afternoon  they  accom- 
panied Strickler  to  his  home  sixteen  miles  away,  arriving 
late  at  night.  Their  next  stopping  place  w^as  at  Peter  Bibey's 
in  Augusta  county.  Passing  through  Staunton,  they  called 
on  the  Methodist  pastor  and  went  on  to  the  house  of  Chris- 
tian Hess. 

On  Saturday  the  13th,  a  great  meeting  began  at  Henry 
Menger's  on  the  side  of  the  mountain,  southwest  of 
Swoope's  Depot.  In  the  afternoon  they  rode  to  a  Mr. 
Harris's.  Next  day,  returning  through  Staunton,  they 
dined  with  tlu'  Methodist  pastor,  and  then  rode  seventeen 
miles  to  Widorc's.  Tuesday  morning  Newcomer  preached 
at  Zimmerman N  in  Keezeltown,  and  then  the  party  rode 
sixteen  miles  to  John  Peters'  near  New^  Market,  where  the 
bishop  was  again  the  preacher.  Next  day  they  crossed 
the  mountain  into  Page,  spending  the  night  with  Christian 
Fori,  near  the  South  Fork.  Thursday,  Bishop  Boehm  con- 
ducted a  funeral  service  at  Woodstock,  and  the  night  was 
spent  with  John  Funkhouser  west  of  Fisher's  Hill.    Satur- 


48 


UNITED  BRETHREN 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


49 


day  a   sacramental  meeting  began  at  Niswander's   near 
Middletown. 

Continuing  their  return  journed  the  party  reached  New- 
comer's home,  Tuesday  the  23d,  just  two  days  before  the 
opening  of  conference.  The  Boehms  must  have  gone  on 
to  Kemp's,  for  there  was  not  time  to  reach  their  own  homes 
and  be  at  conference  on  the  first  day,  this  being  the  time 
when  Newcomer  found  them  there. 

The  next  visit  to  Virginia  was  two  years  later,  in  June, 
and  it  occupied  eight  days.  Otterbein,  Newcomer,  Crum, 
and  S trickier  were  the  preachers  and  they  traveled  to- 
gether. Their  first  point  was  a  sacramental  meeting  at 
Jacob  Funkhouser's  west  of  Fisher's  Hill.  The  services 
Sunday  night  were  at  Christian  Funkhouser's.  The  place 
was  appropriately  called  Funkhouser  Hollow,  since  there 
were  seven  families  of  this  name,  all  wdth  farms  adjoining. 
They  all  spoke  the  German  language,  built  their  houses 
alike,  each  one  over  a  spring,  professed  the  same  religion, 
and  yet  each  family  had  its  own  burial  ground  on  a  hill- 
side. Their  relationship  has  never  been  traced  by  any  one 
of  the  present  time.  On  this  journey  Otterbein  preached 
nearly  every  night.  Services  were  held  at  Crum's,  at 
Geeting's,  at  Newtown,  at  Niswander's  in  Middletown,  and 
at  Winchester. 

In  October  of  the  same  year  Newcomer  and  Geeting 
traveled  the  Virginia  circuit,  one  or  the  other  preaching 
every  day  for  nineteen  days  and  always  in  German.  Their 
preaching  places  were  much  as  before,  Stoverstown  (Stras- 
burg)  being  one  of  the  appointments.  At  Mengen's,  their 
most  southern  point,  was  the  great  meeting  for  which  they 
set  out.  To  attend  the  two-day  services  the  people  came  in 
some  instances  thirty  to  fifty  miles. 

"Year  after  year  for  almost  thirty  years  Newcomer 
made  visits  to  Virginia,  continuing  them  almost  to  the 
time  when  Glossbrenner  began  his  work  as  circuit  rider. 
"The  meeting  places  were  changed  to  suit  local'  con- 
ditions. From  Hoffman's  the  meetings  were  changed  to 
Peter  Myer's  near  the  present   Pike    Mennonite    church. 


George  Hoffman  moved  to  Augusta,  taking  liis  religion 
with  him,  and  Mount  Zion  became  an  early  preachin^:;  place. 
Peter  Myers  built  a  dwelling  house  ^^ith  a  large  room 
in  it  for  meetings,  which  were  held  regularly  here  for 
many  vears. 

"In  the  spring  1809  Newcomer  made  a  unique  visit 
to  Harrisonburg.  He  came  as  a  committee  to  confer  v.ith 
Bishop  Asbiiry  and  the  Baltimore  Conference  of  the  Metho- 
dist Church  on  the  subject  of  church  union.  This  confer- 
ence was  held  in  the  log  church  on  the  hill  where  the  old 
burial  ground  still  remains.  Two  bishops,  Asbury  and 
George,  and  sixty  preachers  were  present.  The  day  after 
it  closed  Newcomer,  delighted  with  his  cordial  entertain- 
ment, rode  down  the  Valley  witli  Asbury  and  other  preach- 
ers, among  whom  was  Henry  Boehm,  son  of  the  bishop. 

"The  last  visit  by  Newcomer  was  in  1828,  when  he  was 
seventy-nine  years  old.  That  summer  he  held  eight  camp 
meetings,  three  of  them  in  Virginia.  In  company  with 
William  Brown,  afterward  bishop,  and  William  B.  Bhine- 
hart,  a  sw^eet  singer  and  later  the  first  editor  of  the  Beligious 
Telescope,  he  made  the  usual  stops  until  he  came  to  a 
camp  meeting  on  Mill  Creek,  two  miles  west  of  Mount 
Jackson.  Such  meetings  were  held  here  from  1825  to 
1830  inclusive,  on  the  farm  of  the  great  grandfather  of 
A.  P.  Funkhouser.  The  camp  spring  is  yet  pointed  out  in 
the  middle  of  Mill  Creek.  After  the  close  of  the  meeting, 
the  preachers  went  on  to  Bockingham  and  spent  the  night 
with  Jacob  Whitesell,  who  had  married  Brown's  sister  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  who  had  now  an  old  mill  on  Dry  Biver, 
a  mile  or  two  below  Bawley  Springs.  Whitesell  and  his 
family  later  moved  to  Vigo  county,  Indiana,  where  his 
descendants  are  among  the  pillars  of  the  strong  church 
now  in  that  section.  The  preachers  then  went  to  the  camp 
meeting  on  Beaver  Creek  just  opposite  the  home  of  the 
late  John  Whitmore.  Mrs.  Maria  Paul  attended  this  meet- 
ing, being  then  a  girl,  and  remembered  the  bishop  as  tall, 
spare,  and  clean-shaven.  During  one  of  his  discourses  a 
large,  fat  man  walked  into  the  congregation  and  stood 


50 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


leaning  against  a  tree.  His  name  was  Koogler,  and  he 
was  a  paper-shaver  with  a  reputation  not  very  savory. 
Newcomer  pointed  him  out,  remarking,  'Oh  me,  if  that 
man  would  become  converted,  how  much  rehgion  he  could 
hold.' 

"At  the  close  of  the  camp  meeting,  Newcomer  and  his 
companions  rode  to  Peter  Whitesell's,  where  Brown 
preached  in  German  and  Newcomer  in  English.  Simon, 
father  of  J.  D.  Whitesell  of  Harrisonburg,  was  then  but 
eight  years  old,  yet  preserved  to  the  end  of  his  life  a  clear 
recollection  of  the  visit.  Whitesell's  church  had  been  built 
here  the  year  previous.  It  was  the  first  United  Brethren 
church  built  in  Virginia,  and  a  most  influential  center  for 
many  years.  This  house  of  worship  grew  out  of  the  meet- 
ings at  Hoffman's  and  Peter  Myers' :  Passing  through  Har- 
risonburg to  the  head  of  Brock's  Gap,  the  party  took  dinner 
with  Henrv  Tutwiler,  a  brother-in-law  to  Whitesell,  and  a 
tanner  of  buckskin.  He  was  postmaster  at  Harrisonburg 
thirty-one  years.  Tutwiler  w^as  a  zealous  class  leader  of 
the  Methodists,  and  was  the  father  of  one  of  the  first  gradu- 
ates of  the  University  of  Virginia.  Years  afterward,  he 
died  shoutingly  happy  after  a  sudden  illness,  the  day  after 
holding  a  watch  meeting  on  New  Year's  eve. 

"The  next  day  found  Newcomer  at  a  camp  meeting  on 
the  land  of  Jacob  Lentz,  at  the  head  of  Brock's  Gap  four 
miles  above  Dovesville.  Lentz  had  come  from  Loudoun 
county  years  before,  bringing  his  United  Brethrenism  with 
him,  and  though  he  was  more  than  thirty  miles  from  the 
county  seat,  he  was  not  too  far  away  for  his  old  friends 
to  find  him.  Near  him  at  Dovesville,  was  another  United 
Brethren,  Frederick  Doub  (Dove),  who  had  come  from 
Frederick  county,  Maryland.  The  postofllce  was  named 
after  him.  The  descendants  of  the  Lentzs  and  Doves,  and 
the  intermarried  families  now  form  a  large  element  of 
the  population  here.  The  present  Keplinger  chapel, 
recently  remodeled,  was  dedicated  November  27,  1858,  by 
Jacob  Markwood,  then  a  presiding  elder." 

The  compiler  of  this  volume  fmds  among  the  papers 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


51 


given  him  the  statement  that  the  first  United  Brethren  con- 
ference,— presumably  of  Virginia, — was  held  June  3,  1794, 
in  the  stone  house  that  was  used  as  a  law  office  of  the  late 
General  John  E.  Roller.  But  as  this  meeting  is  not  men- 
tioned in  the  general  histories  of  the  church,  it  must  have 
been  a  gathering  of  the  Virginia  preachers  of  that  decade 
and  perhaps  a  few  from  the  other  side  of  the  Potomac. 
The  first  official  conference  in  Virginia  was  held  in  the 
same  town,  March  2,  1809. 

Mention  has  been  made  of  the  Whitesell  church.  As 
late  as  1850  there  were  but  two  other  church  buildings  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Virginia.  In  1860  the  total  mem- 
bership in  both  Virginia  and  Maryland  w^as  not  over  3,000. 

There  was  for  a  long  while  a  feeling  that  there  should 
be  no  gathering  of  church  statistics,  and  none  were  given 
out  by  the  United  Brethren  Church  until  1837.  This  pre- 
judice seems  to  have  grown  out  of  the  relation  of  David's 
sin  in  numbering  the  people. 

A  more  complete  account  of  Newcomer's  travels  in 
Virginia  will  be  found  in  the  next  chapter. 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


55 


CHAPTER  VHI 
EXTRACTS  FROM  NEWCOMER'S  JOURNAL 

Christian  Newcomer  was  of  Swiss  descent  and  was  born 
near  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  January  21,  1749.  His 
parents  were  Mennonites  and  the, son  was  reared  in  their 
faith.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  from  his  father, 
but  when  he  was  about  twenty  years  old  the  parent  died. 
At  the  deathbed  request  of  the  latter,  he  took  upon  himself 
the  care  of  the  farm  and  thus  provided  a  home  for  the 
mother  and  a  sister.  After  a  year  the  sister  found  a  hus- 
band, and  as  the  mother  was  a  midwife  and  much  awav 
from  home.  Christian  was  married  in  1770  to  Elizabeth 
Baer.  Not  long  afterward  he  was  converted  at  home  as  a 
result  of  personal  seeking.  Thinking  he  should  become 
a  preacher,  he  took  counsel  with  one  of  the  Mennonite 
preachers,  a  person  who  stood  high  in  the  young  man's 
estimation.  But  this  elder  could  not  comprehend  the 
experience  his  friend  had  undergone,  and  cast  doubts  upon 
it.  However,  when  stretched  on  a  bed  of  sickness,  the  older 
man  became  convinced  that  the  younger  man  was  in  the 
right.  Newcomer  removed  to  Maryland,  where  he  found 
that  his  neighbors,  though  well-meaning  and  friendly, 
were  unacquainted  with  experimentaal  religion.  He  had 
long  continued  misgivings  with  respect  to  becoming  a 
preacher.  It  was  not  until  he  had  overcome  this  reluctance, 
through  recourse  to  earnest  prayer,  that  Newcomer  found 
restoration  from  what  he  regarded  as  a  backslidden  state. 

He  had  already  listened  to  Otterbein  and  Geeting.  Find- 
ing that  he  and  they  were  in  entire  harmony  in  the  matter 
of  experimental  religion,  he  joined  a  society  of  what  were 
then  called  Otterbein's  people,  and  in  1777  became  a 
preacher  among  what  were  derisively  called  the  "Dutch 
Methodists."  Newcomer  continued  to  preach  ver\^  nearly 
to  the  end  of  his  long  life.  In  1813  he  was  made  a  bishop 
and  thenceforward  he  led  a  particularly  active  career.    He 


V 


crossed  the  Alleghanies  thirty-eight  times  and  rode  on 
horseback  six  thousand  miles  a  year.  .  When  nearly  eighty 
years  of  age  he  thus  traveled  to  Ohio  and  Indiana,  held  sev- 
eral conference,  and  returned  in  his  usual  health.  A  little 
later  he  made  a  similar  trip  to  Virginia,  where  he  held  a 
great  meeting  near  Swoope's.     These  trips  were  kept  up 

Till  1828. 

There  is  a  striking  parallelism  between  Christian  New- 
comer  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  and  Francis  Asbury 
of  the  Melbodist  Church.  The  former  has  ver>^  justly  been 
called  the  Asburv  of  the  United  Brethren.  Both  men  were 
bishops  in  the  pioneer  period  of  their  respective  organiza- 
tions Each  was  an  empire-builder  in  the  ecclesiastical 
sense.  Each  was  an  indefatigable  worker.  Each  was  a 
prodigious  traveler,  spending  so  much  time  on  horseback 
that  it  is  small  stretching  of  the  fact  to  say  that  he  lived 
in  the  saddle.  Each  of  these  early  bishops  kept  a  journal 
and  each  journal  has  been  published. 

Newcomer  was  tall,  commanding  in  figure,  and  robust 
in  physique.  No  portrait  is  in  existence.  In  1828  he  held 
a  camp  meeting  near  Crider's  store  in  Brock's  Gap,  at  a 
spring  still  known  as  the  "camp  spring."  Seventy  years 
later  Mrs  Maria  Paul  remembered  seeing  him  there.  Her 
description  of  him  as  a  tall,  slim,  smoothly  shaven  man  of 
serious  appearance  taUies  with  other  accounts. 

The  bishop  was  not  a  great  preacher  except  in  earnest- 
ness of  purpose.  He  had  a  slight  impediment  in  his  speech 
and  his  voice  was  but  moderately  strong.  Yet  he  was  a 
successful  evangelist,  and  as  a  superintendent  he  was 
fearless  as  well  as  diligent.  He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the 
itinerant  system,  perceiving  that  it  is  peculiarly  adapted  to 
new  and  sparselv  settled  districts. 

Newcomer's  journal,  written  in  German  and  trans- 
lated by  John  Hildt,  was  published  at  Hagerstown  in  18.S4 
It  is  prefaced  with  an  autobiography,  this  dealing  almost 
wholly  with  his  reUgious  experiences.  The  Joy^^^^^^^^^f 
October  27,  1795,  and  continues  until  March  4,  1830,  only 
eight  days  before  his  death.    To  many  persons  it  has  been 


54 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


a  matter  of  regret  that  most  of  the  entries  are  so  brief 
and  fragmentary.  This  brevity  impairs  the  historic  vahie. 
But  it  is  highly  probable  that  the  bishop  never  thought  his 
manuscript  would  ever  appear  in  book  form.  Perhaps 
his  notes  were  regarded  by  himself  as  little  more  than  an 
aid  to  his  memory. 

With  a  view  of  allowing  the  journal  to  throw  all  the 
light  possible  on  the  histor>^  of  the  Virginia  Conference 
l)rior  to  1830,  we  now  present  the  following  extracts. 

1795 
Preached  at  Vinimbach's  in  Virginia  from  John  2:14. 

1796 
Preached  at  Henry  Crum's  Thursday,  October  13.    (Note:   Henry 
and  Christian  Crum  were  twin  brothers  who  went  to  Winchester 
from  near  Frederick,  Md.     They  strongly  resembled  one  another. 
Both   were   very  useful  preachers.)      Preached   Friday   at   Millers- 
town.     Next   day   a   sacramental   meeting   began    at    Stony   Creek 
1  gave  the  first  discourse,— from  Psalm  XL.     On  Mondav,^  the  hist 
day,  many  sinners  were  converted.    Tuesdav,  preached  at  Snider's 
near  Linville  Creek,  and  in   the  evening  came  to  the  home  of  a 
Mennonite  uncle,  a  preacher,  where  I  spoke  from  Psalm  XXIV   15 
Wednesday,  though  afflicted  with  a  severe  toothache,  I  preached 
twice  at  J.  P.'s  near  Smith  Creek.     Thursday  rode  to  Massanutten 
and  preached  there  Friday  at  Mr.  Hiestand's  but  found  the  people 
of   that    neighborhood    rather    hardened.      Saturday,    rode    to    the 
forks  of  the  Shenandoah  and  lodged  with  Jacob  Weaver,  a  very 
sick   man.     Sunday   morning,   preached   at   the   house    of  J    Fa— 
from  "It  IS  time  that  judgment  should  begin  at  the  house  of  God" 
and   in   the   afternoon   the   Lion   roared  wonderfully.     A   meeting 
Monday  at  the  home  of  a  widow  whose  husband  had  lately  died 
but  the  people  seemed  cold  and  lifeless.    Tuesdav  spoke  in  New' 
town    from   Hebrews   XII,   15,   and    found   the    Lord   present.     In 
he  evening  preached  in  Winchester  to  a  large  congregation.    Next 
nf  H. '/h'''\?'  !"^  ^^'"^'  ^^'^^^^  '^^'^  criminals  under  sentence 

on  the  Sther     "'       *""   "'"^'^   '^"''   impression    on    one   but    none 

1797 

the^^even!n/'v  "f  '^  Newtown,  September  20,  and  preached  in 
the  evening.  Next  evening  (Thursday)  preached  at  Woodstock 
f  om  Revelations  III,  19,  20.    Friday  there  was  a  meeting  in  N^^^^ 

i  a?M^Steff  '  "^'1  r^  ^''"^^"^  "^^^  ^^^--^  P—  A  mee" 
in.  at   Mr.  Steffy  s   and   lodged   with   him.     Spoke  first   Saturday 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


55 


7 


morning   at   eleven   in   a   three   days   meeting   beginning   at   Peter 
Mever's^n  Rockingham.     Sunday  morning  Geeting  preached  with 
remarkable  power  from,  ^Whosoever  will  be  my  disciple  let  him 
take  up  his  cross  and  follow  Me."     Exhorted  after  him  and  then 
followed  the  Lord's  Supper.     Candle-light  meeting  at  Mr.  K  ein  s 
several  young  people  prayed  for  salvation.     At  the  close  of  the 
meeting  (on  Monday)   there  was  a  glorious  time,  and  the  people 
were  so  much  affected  that  most  of  them  cried  aloud.     |uf^f^>j 
an   appointment  with   Henry   Geeting,   son   of  George,   and  lodged 
with  Mr.  Rrunk.    Wednesday  morning  preached  to  a  large  assembly 
in   a   schoolhouse   near  Shenandoah   River,   and   then   rode  to   the 
home  of  a   relative  who  entertained   me   in   a  very  friendly   way 
but   cared   verv    little    about    religion.     Thursday,    preached    at    a 
widow's  to  a  svmpathetic  congregation  that  included  two  Cxerman 
Baptist    preachers.      Friday,    visited    Mr.    Zehrung    in    Woodstock 
and  then  rode  to  John  Funkhouser's,  staying  there  all  night.    Next 
day  a  sacramental  meeting  began  in  Frederick  county.    The  people 
were  uncommonlv  affected.    An  aged  man  came  forward  with  tears 
trickling  down  his  cheeks.    Monday  evening  preached  from  Psalm  1. 

1798 
August   10,   an   uncommonly   warm   day  with   a   torrential   rain 
after    crossing   the    Potomac.     Lost    my   path    in    the    woods    and 
had  no  other  light  than  the  occasional  flashes  from  another  thun- 
derstorm.   Got  off  mv  horse  and  prayed  for  protection.     On  rising 
from  my  knees,  I  saw  the  path  only  a  few  yards  away,  and  soon 
reached  the  house  of  Mr.  Ambrose,  where  I  dried  my  clothes  and 
had  a  comfortable  rest.    The  next  day  was  Saturday  and  a  sacra- 
mental   meeting    began    here.    Christian    Crum    and    Dr.    Senseny 
preaching  with  power.     Among  the  seekers  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, who  praised  God  he  had  come  to  America,  and  to  a  people 
from   whom   he   had   learned   the   way   of   salvation.     The   people 
around  here  generallv  poor  but  concerned  for  the  salvation  of  their 
souls.     Sundav  a  great  many  people  were  present.     Monday,  rode 
to  Warm  Springs  (Berkeley  Springs)  and  crossed  to  Hancock,  Md. 
Wednesday,  September  26,  stayed  with  my  daughter,  Mrs.  Jacob 
Hess    near  Martinsburg.     Next  morning  preached  at  Bucklestown 
and  at  night  at  Winchester.     Friday  evening  preached  at  Millers- 
town  to  a  little  flock.    Saturday,  spoke  first  in  a  sacramental  meet- 
ing with  warmth  and  feeling.     Preached  at  eleven,  and  after  the 
sacrament   exhorted   in    English.     Monday,    visited    an    uncle    and 
aunt  on  Linville,  and  rode  on  lodging  with  Henry  Huber.     Tues- 
day morning  preached   at  the  widow  Brunk's  and  lodged  at  Mr. 
Grove's.    Wednesday  evening,  spoke  in  a  schoolhouse,  and  at  night 
at  the  widow  Kegis's  on  Smith  Creek.    Thursday,  preached  at  Mr. 
Meiles's,   a   few  miles   from  Millerstown,   and  the   next   day  came 
to  John  Funkhouser's.     Saturday,  October  6,  a  sacramental  meet- 


r. 


of) 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


57 


ing  at  Abraham  Niswander's  near  Middletown.  Felt  so  stripped 
of  all  grace  that  I  did  not  know  what  to  say,  but  at  night  there 
was  a  glorious  time.  Sunday  I  spoke  after  Geeting.  and  next  day 
preached  at  Henry  Crum's.  At  this  meeting  a  Quaker  sister  was 
moved  by  the  Spirit  and  gave  an  exhortation  and  prayer  with 
astonishing  power. 

1799 

Wednesday,  May  1,  the  first  appointment  at  Henry  Crum's. 
Next  day  attempted  to  speak  after  Geeting  at  Jacob's  church  m 
Frederick  county,  but  because  of  a  leg  bruised  by  a  falling  crow- 
bar, I  had  to  desist,  and  Friday  I  had  to  stay  at  Crum's  starting 
home  Saturday. 

Thursday,  July  25,  preached  in  Winchester,  and  Friday  canity 
unexpectedly  upon  a  meeting  held  by  Henry  Crum,  after  whom  I 
spoke  to  an  attentive  audience.  Then  rode  with  Oum  to  Stovers- 
town  (Strasburg),  visiting  old  Mr.  StaufTer,  a  man  of  ^3.  Preached 
next  morning  at  Jacob  Funkhouser's.  Sunchiy,  preached  to  a  I'ttle 
flock  in  the  old  church  at  Woodstock,  and  at  night  held  a  class- 
meeting  at  Zehrung's.  Monday,  reached  Henry  Geeting's.  His 
house  was  struck  by  lightning  a  few  days  ago,  but  no  one  injured 
although  the  whole  family  were  inside.  Next  morning  preached 
at  Andrew  Kautfman's,  and  in  the  afternoon  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Renker,  a  justice  of  the  peace.  Wednesday  morning  preached  at 
Stony  Creek,  and  in  the  evening  at  Niswander's,  where  there  was 
a  small  but  attentive  congregation.  Thiu'sday,  preached  at  Jacob 
Funkhouser's  on  ]Mill  Creek  and  lodged  at  S.  Peter's  in  Rocking- 
ham. Friday  morning  preached  here  to  as  many  people  as  the 
room  would  hold,  and  put  up  with  Mr.  Rrunk  in  Brock's  Gap. 
Saturday,  arrived  at  George  Homan's  where  a  great  nmltitude 
were  assembled  for  a  sacramental  meeting.  ISunday  afternoon  I 
spoke  from  Hebrews  TI  :  3.  Geeting  and  Strickler  were  here  on  the 
whole  we  had  a  blessed  time.  Tuesday  preached  at  Christian 
KautTman's.  Wednesday  I  lodged  with  Mr.  Weber  and  next  day 
reached  Niswander's,  whence  I  rode  with  Geeting  to  Winchester 
and  was  the  guest  of  Mr.  Kurtz.  Friday  morning  I  went  into  a 
drugstore  to  purchase  some  medicine.  The  druggist  then  took 
me  into  an  adjoining  room,  called  the  family  together,  and  re- 
quested me  to  hold  family  worship,  which  I  did.  Among  those 
present  was  an  intelligent  young  man,  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hinkle. 
After  breakfast  I  went  with  (ieeting  to  visit  Dr.  Senseny,  who 
had  been  taken  very  ill.  Nine  miles  beyond  we  held  a  meeting 
at  Mr.  Sweyer's  and  then  went  to  Ambrose's,  where  a  two-day 
meeting  had  been  appointed.  Saturday  the  assemblage  was  so 
large  that  I  could  not  see  how  so  many  people  could  live  in  such 
a  mountainous  region.  Sunday,  a  Methodist  brother  preached 
in  English. 


V 


Also 
Fri- 


1800 

Thursday,  August   7,   Geeting  and  myself  had  an   appointment 

at    Shepherdstown.      Friday    I    lodged    with    Mr.    Duckwalt,    and 

Saturday  began  a  meeting  on  Sleepy  Creek,  which  lasted  through 

Sunday.    Monday  I  preached  at  Berkeley  Springs  and  stayed  with 

Mr.  Grammer. 

Mondav,  September  1,  came  to  Christian  Crum's  where  a  great 
congregation  assembled  the  following  day.    Father  Boehm  preached 
first,  and  at  night  with  great  power  at  Dr.  Senseny's  in  Winchester. 
A   Methodist    followed   him    in    English.     Thursday    there   was    a 
meeting   at   Niswander's,   the  people   being   very   atetntive. 
preached  at  A.  Boehm's  and  was  followed  by  Henry  Boehm. 
day  a  meeting  at  Jacob  Funkhouser's,  and  visited  old  Mr.  Yager 
at  Woodstock.    Father  Boehm  preached  here  in  the  church.    I  rode 
on  to  Rhinehart's  and  preached  there,   speaking  Saturday   at  the 
widow  Kegis's.     Sunday,  Father  Boehm  preached  in  German,  and 
his   son   Henry  followed   in   English.     The   grace   of   God   seemed 
visible  in  almost  every  countenance.    The  people  were  so  reluctant 
to  go  aw^ay  that  we  prayed  once  more  for  them.    I  rode  with  Henry 
Boehm  to  Mr.  Bender's,  where  we  preached  but  to  all  appearance 
without   any   effect.     Monday  morning  we   came   to   the   home   of 
John  Peters,  where  a  houseful  of  people  were  already  gathered. 
Myself  and  the  Boehms  preached.     At  the  close  the  people  would 
not  leave,  so  we  began  again  and  prayed  with  them.    Rode  thence 
to  Homan's,  where  many  young  people  had  collected,  and  whom 
Father  Boehm  exhorted.     Tuesday  morning  a  great  many  people 
gathered  within  a  short  time.     I  spoke  after  Father  Boehm.     The 
whole,  congregation  shed  tears  and  we  had  to  break  away  to  go 
to  the  next  appointment,  leaving  them  praying.     Mr.  Strickler  had 
come  as  a  guide  to  his  home,  16  miles  distant.    Passing  into  Rock- 
ingham  we   visited   Mr.   Welch,    a   Methodist   preacher    and    most 
excellent    man.     There   was    a   great   crowd   Wednesday.     Father 
Boehm,  following  me,  had  not  spoken  long  until  several  persons 
rose  to  their  feet,  striking  their  hands  and  shouting  in  an  estasy 
of  joy.     The  evening  meeting  lasted  till  midnight   and  the  house 
could  not  hold  all  who  were  present.    Thursday  we  rode  to  Peter 
Biber's  in  Augusta,  where  I  preached  and  was  followed  by  Father 
Boehm,  but  the  word  seemed  to  make  little  or  no  impression.    Fri- 
day  we   came   into   Staunton,   where   we   called   on    Mr.    King,    a 
sincere   and   affectionate   Methodist  preacher,   took   some   refresh- 
ments, and  then  rode  on  to  Christian  Hess's,  where  we  lodged.    A 
great  meeting  began  Saturday  at  Henry  Mengen's.     I  addressed  a 
large    audience    and   was    followed   by    King    and    Henry    Boehm. 
After  Boehm  had  spoken  a  few  words,  the  power  of  God  seemed 
to  pervade  the  whole  congregation.     There  was  prayer  and  class 
meeting  at  night.     Parents  shouted  for  joy  to  see  their  children 


58 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


converted  to  God.  Father  Boehm  was  followed  by  King  Sunday 
morning.  After  a  sacramental  service  we  rode  to  Mr.  Harr's, 
where  T  was  followed  by  King  in  English,  but  nothing  would 
touch  these  people.  Monday  we  returned  to  Staunton,  dined 
with  King,  and  rode  on  17  miles  to  one  Widore's,  w^here  Father 
Boehm  spoke  with  wonderful  power  to  a  great  manv  people. 
Tuesday  morning,  Henry  Boehm  and  myself  preached  at  Zimmer- 
man's in  Keezeltown.  We  went  on  16  miles  to  John  Peters's, 
where  Father  Boehm  spoke  to  a  numerous  congregation.  Wed- 
nesday we  preached  at  Mr.  Harshbarger's,  and  lodged  with  Ch  is- 
tian  Fori  at  Massanutten.  He  does  not  seem  concerned  nV>9ut 
religion.  Thursday  morning  Henry  Boehm  preach^nl  r^  Knglish 
in  an  old  church  near  by.  Many  accompanied  us  after  the  meet- 
ing and  we  had  to  tear  ourselves  away.  Some  rode  with  us  across 
Three  Top  Mountain.  We  passed  the  night  at  Mt.  Stover's,  and 
reached  Woodstock  next  day,  where  Father  Boehm  preached  the 
funeral  sermon  for  a  Mr.  Grove,  using  this  text:  "Set  thy  house 
in  order,  for  thou  shalt  die  and  not  live."  At  John  Funkhouser's 
I  preached  from  Romans  VHI,  17.  Saturday  a  sacramental  meet- 
ing began  at  Niswander's  in  the  open  air.  I  was  followed  by  Crum. 
At  night  I  preached  at  Senseny's  and  met  the  class.  Sunday,  Sep- 
tember 21,  I  delivered  an  opening  discourse  to  a  vast  nmltitude, 
but  the  word  had  not  the  desired  effect.  I  preached  in  the  after- 
noon, and  was  followed  by  Henry  Boehm,  who  made  some  im- 
pression. We  had  to  leave  them  to  meet  an  appointment  at  the 
Methodist  church  in  Winchester.  Father  Boehm  spoke  first  and 
in  German.  Henry  Boehm  and  myself  followed  in  English.  There 
■was  a  blessed  time.  Lodged  with  Mr.  Lauck.  Monday  I  passed 
through  Shepherdstown  on  my  way  home,  lodging  with  ,John 
Mumma. 

1801 

Sunday,  August  2,  I  heard  Enoch  George,  a  powerful  speaker, 
preach  in  Shepherdstown.  (George  was  a  Methodist  bishop.) 
August  26  I  was  told  by  Bishop  Whatcoat  (Methodist)  in  Hagerstown 
that  at  different  places  in  America  powerful  revivals  had  taken 
place.  Next  day  I  reached  Berkeley  Springs,  lodging  with  Mr. 
Kremer.  The  second  day  (Friday)  a  blessed  meeting  at  Duck- 
wait's  began.  Saturday  it  was  protracted  till  late.  Sunday  I 
spoke  in  both  languages  and  went  home  with  a  Mr.  Frosh.  Monday 
crossed  North  Mountain  to  Martinsburg,  stopping  for  a  lunch  at 
Mr.  Winter's  on   Back   Creek. 

1802 

A  sacramental  meeting  begins  Saturday,  June  12,  at  Jacob 
Funkhouser's  in  Shenandoah,  Otterbein  delivering  the  first  sermon. 
Eight  were  converted  at  night  at  Christian  Funkhouser's.  Sunday 
there   was   a   great  congregation,   Otterbein    speaking  first,— from 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


59 


Daniel  VH  :  13,  14.  I  cannot  but  be  always  astonished  and  lost  in 
amazement  at  the  power  and  energy  with  which  this  old  servant 
of  God  declares  the  counsel  of  his  Master.  The  people  w^ere  very 
attentive.  We  rode  on  to  Niswander's  and  tarried.  Otterbein 
preached  at  Newtown  on  Monday.  At  night  I  spoke  in  the  Metho- 
dist meeting  house  and  lodged  with  Mr.  Bush.  Tuesday  Otter- 
bein preached  in  the  Reformed  church  at  Winchester.  At  night 
w^e  heard  Enoch  George  and  Quinn,  the  Methodist  brethren.  Wed- 
nesday Otterbein  preached  again  and  I  followed  him. 

Thursday,  August  26,  I  came  to  John  Miller's  in  Berkeley,  and 
at  the  Springs  next  day  met  the  English  brethren  (Methodists), 
Mitchell  and  Pitts.  Saturday,  Geeting,  Crum,  Geisinger,  and  Sen- 
seny  arrived  before  me  at  a  sacramental  meeting  at  J.  M.'s,  many 
bringing  their  children  for  baptism.  I  baptised  a  child  '-  Icng'ir*  to 
an  English  lady,  using  the  English  language.  (Newcomer  only 
means  that  he  used  the  English  language).    Lodged  at  J.  Funk's. 

Wednesday,   October   13,   preached   at   Christian    Crum's,   next 
morning  at  Dr.  Senseny's  in  Winchester,  and  at  night  to  a  large 
congregation  in  the  Methodist  church  at  Newtown.     Friday,  Geet- 
ing spoke  in   Stoverstown,   and  at  night  there  was   a  meeting  at 
John  Funkhouser's.     Saturday  the  preaching  by  Geeting  and  my- 
self at  a  great  meeting  at  Andrew  Kauffman's  did  not  appear  to 
make   much   impression.     Monday   there   was   a   meeting   at   John 
Funkhouser's   on   Mill   Creek.     Tuesday,   Geeting   and  myself   had 
a  very  good  meeting  at  Henry  Huber's.     Wednesday,  a  quarterly 
meeting  began  in  Hoffman's  barn  in  Rockingham.     Never  have  I 
witnessed  the  power  of  God  in  so  great  a  degree  among  so  many 
people.     The  meeting  was  protracted  till  late  at  night  and  many 
found  peace.     I   was   entertained   by   the   Meyers,    a   godly   pair. 
Next  day  the  crowd  was  still  greater.     Lutherans,  Presbyterians, 
Mennonites,   Baptists,    and   Methodists    all    drew    near   the    Lord's 
table.    Many  were  not  able  to  avoid  shouting.     With  difiiculty  we 
parted  from  the  people  to  meet  an  appointment  at  Mr.  Hivener's 
10  miles  away.    Friday  morning  there  was  a  meeting  at  J.  Domer's 
and  at  night  at  Lewis  Shuey's,  10  miles  beyond.    Saturday,  a  sacra- 
mental meeting  begins   at   Mengen's,   some   coming  more   than    50 
miles.    Parents  and  children  were  together  on  their  knees.    I  went 
home  with  Mr.  Brobeck.     Sunday  many  came  to  the  Lord's  table 
with  streaming  eyes.     Preached  at  night  at  Staunton   and  lodged 
with  Mr.  Falker.     Monday  I  rode  42  miles,  preaching  to  a  small 
assembly    at   Mr.   Mertz's    in     Rockingham.      Tuesday    morning    I 
preached  three  miles  from  Mertz's,  then  rode  23  miles  to  Wood- 
stock, where  the  people  had  been  some  time  waiting  for  us.   Wed- 
nesday I  preached  in  Stoverstown,  and  had  a  meeting  Thursday 
in   Middletown   at  the  house  of  Senseny,   a  tanner.     Preached   at 
night  on  the  same  day  in  the  Methodist  church  at  W'inchester. 


60 


UNITED  BRETHREN 


1803 
Preached  in  both  German  and  English  at  a  sacramental  meeting 
at  Sleepy  Creek,  beginning  Saturday,  August  27      Tuesday,  spoke 
to  a  large  congregation  in  Newtown.     Wednesday,  James   Sm  dt 
exhorted  in  English  at  Niswander's.    Thursday  I  spoke  at  Kauff 
man's  and  Friday  at  Funkhouser's  on  Stony  Cr^e^^      A  quarterly 
meeting  began   Saturday  at   Homan's.     Wednesday    September   6, 
Tpoke  at  Hoffman's  and  rode  12  miles  to  Mr.  Dider's.    Wednesday, 
I  preached  at  Heffner's,  and  Thursday  to  a  large  congregation  in 
a  mill.    The  people  entreated  us  to  stay,  but  we  had  to  leave  to 
hold  a  class-meeting  at  Lewis  Shuey's  12  miles  distant.    Many  peo- 
ple here  next  day.     A  quarterly  meeting  began  Saturday  at  Bro- 
beck's  in  Augusta,  a  great  multitude  being  present  next  day.    Sun- 
day night   I  preached   in   a  schoolhouse,   where   a   great   number 
were  in  distress  and  the  meeting  lasted  till  daybreak.    Many  were 
converted.    Monday  I  preached  at  Strickler's  Tuesday  at  Zimmer- 
man's   and   a   point    15    miles    beyond,    and    Wednesday    in    New 
Market,  where  four  preachers  were  in  the  large  audience.     The 
people   desired   another  visit.     But   at   Woodstock,   the   following 
day  while  preaching  in  the  Reformed  church,  one  of  two  ministers 
hastily  withdrew.    Saturday  a  two-day  meeting  began  at  Senseny's 
in  Middletown.     Sunday  night  I  preached  in  Winchester. 

1804 
A  quarterly  meeting  began  at  J.  Funkhouser's,  Saturday,  May 
26     Sunday,  Otterbein  preached  again  from  Matthew  III,  12,  and 
was  followed  bv  myself  and  Strickler.     Monday  I  rode  through 
New  Market  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Huff,  who  would  not  let  me  go 
any  farther.    Next  dny  I  lodged  with  Mr.  Kreiner  beyond  Keezel- 
town.    Thursday,  I  dined  at  Harrisonburg  with  Mr.  Sala,  a  book- 
binder     Friday   I  preached   at   New   Market,    Sunday   in    an    old 
chapel  at  Massanutten.     I  had  colored  as  well  as  white  hearers 
and  they  were  well  satisfied.    Having  preached  in  both  languages, 
my  strength  was  all  gone,  and  a  lady  closed  with  prayer.    Monday 
I    preached    at    Woodstock    in    the    English    (Methodist)    meeting 
house.    A  minister  sitting  just  in  front  of  me   suddenly   fell,   but 
I  did  not  know  why.    Tuesday  I  preached  in  German  and  English 
at   Senseny's   near  Middletown.     Thursday,  June   7,   Henry   Smith 
and  myself  addressed  the  people  at  Henry's  Crum's. 

Saturday,  August  11,  1  arrived  at  a  camp  meeting  held  in  a 
beautiful  grove  in  Berkeley  county.  I  could  hear  the  people  sing- 
ing some  distance  away.  In  a  circle  around  a  large,  open  space, 
a  number  of  tents  were  pitched,  inclosing  the  area  where  were 
the  stand  for  the  preachers  and  the  seats  for  the  people.  In  and 
around  the  tents  and  all  over  the  ground  were  men,  women,  and 
children  in  swarms,  busily  preparing  for  the  occasion.  My  heart 
was  filled  with  gratitude  that  I  live  in  a  land  where  every  indivi- 


GHURCH  HISTORY 


61 


•dual  is  permitted  to  worship  God  according  ta  the  dictates  of  his 
own  conscience  and  no  one  dare  disturb  him.  The  brethren  in  the 
preachers'  tent  gave  me  a  cordial  welcome.  In  the  large  circle 
encompassed  by  the  tents  were  board  seats  under  the  shade  of  the 
trees,  where  many  hundreds  of  people  could  be  accommodated. 
An  audience  was  assembled  by  blowing  a  horn.  After  dark  it  was 
a  beautiful  sight  to  see  the  whole  circle,  and  especially  the  preach- 
ers' stand,  illuminated  with  lamps.  All  around,  before  the  tents 
and  on  the  trees,  lights  were  in  contrast  with  the  starry  firmament 
above.  The  concourse  on  Sunday  was  estimated  at  4,000,  aboui 
300  partaking  of  the  Lord's  supper.  Monday  morning  at  daybreak 
I  could  hear  the  people  in  every  tent  singing  and  praying,  and 
offering  up  family  worship.  In  a  short  while  the  people  assembled 
for  a  general  prayer  meeting.  Preaching  was  at  10  A.  M.,  3  P.  M., 
and  candle-light.  The  meeting  lasted  the  whole  week,  and  daily 
more  people  assembled.  The  second  Sunday  6,000  were  present. 
Toward  evening  the  people  were  dismissed,  but  many  remained 
till  morning.  Daniel  Hildt,  McDonald,  Roszel,  Jefferson,  Welsh, 
Swift,  Pannel,  and  some  other  preachers  were  present.  It  was 
a  harvest  time. 

September  8,  I  learned  of  the  death  of  Dr.  Senseny  at  Win- 
chester. 

December  22,  I  paid  25  cents  at  Berlin  (now  Brunswick,  Md.) 
to  have  my  horse  led  across  the  Potomac  on  the  ice,  myself 
following.  That  night  I  preached  at  J.  A.'s,  and  next  day  twice  in 
Loudoun  county. 

1805 

Preached  at  Harper's  Ferry,  January  13. 

'  1806 

Sacramental  meeting  eight  miles  from  Berkeley  Springs,  August 
30.  Strawbridge,  a  Methodist,  following  Hershey.  At  night  a 
man  fell  to  the  ground  and  lay  a  considerable  time  without  the 
least  sign  of  life.  When  he  came  to  himself,  he  praised  God  say- 
ing he  never  in  all  his  life  felt  so  well. 

Though  unwell,  I  preached  at  Christian  Crum's,  Tuesday,  Sep- 
temper  23.  The  perspiration  brought  out  by  the  exercise  of  speak- 
ing was  beneficial.  Wednesday  there  was  a  meeting  at  J.  Senseny's, 
and  Thursday  I  preached  10  miles  beyond.  Friday  I  preached 
at  Crangdorf's,  but  was  too  unwell  to  meet  the  next  appointment, 
12  miles  beyond.  A  quarterly  meeting  began  Saturday  at  Gotlieh 
Homan's.  Monday  night  I  had  a  severe  fever,  but  rode  33  miles 
the  next  day. 

Preached  in  Loudoun,  Sunday,  December  8. 

1807 

Tuesday,  June  3,  there  was  a  meeting  at  Senseny's,  near  Mid- 
dletown, where  Eberhardt  and  Holmes,  an  English  brother,  spoke. 


62 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


Wednesday  we  preached  to  a  large  congregation  at  Funkhouser's,  • 
10  miles  away.  Thursday,  I  rode  40  miles  to  Homan's  findini^  the 
house  full  of  people.  Saturday,  I  opened  a  quarterly  meeting  at 
Peter  Meyer's,  and  at  night  preached  at  Kauffman's  in  English. 
Many  people  were  present  Sunday.  Rode  15  miles  to  Jacob  Brunk's. 
Monday  there  was  a  meeting  at  Mr.  Shauter's  Tuesday  one  at 
Rhinehart's,  Wednesday  one  at  Woodstock.  Saturday  and  Sunday 
there  was  a  quarterly  meeting  at  Niswander's  and  at  night  I 
preached  in  Winchester. 

Thursday,  August  27,  I  reached  a  camp  meeting  near  Crum's. 
Saturday  and  Sunday  there  was  a  quarterly  meeting  on  Sleepy 
Creek.  Monday,  at  the  camp  ground,  we  had  the  most  powerful 
time  I  ever  beheld.  September  2,  I  lodged  with  .loseph  Crisop 
beyond  Frankford.  A  thunderstorm  at  night  was  so  severe  that 
the  family  got  out  of  bed  and  spent  some  time  singing  and  praying. 
Preached  at  Mr.  Roth's  and  at  Christian  Funkhouser's,  Wed- 
nesday, September  30,  and  next  day  at  A.  Kauffman's.  Friday 
I  heard  the  celebrated  Lorenzo  Dow  in  Woodstock,  and  rode  2^^ 
miles  with  him  to  a  camp  meeting,  where  he  preached  at  candle- 
light and  at  sunrise  next  morning.  A  quarterly  meeting  at  Homan's, 
Saturday  and  Sunday.  Return  to  the  camp  ground,  where  the 
singing,  praying,  and  shouting  continue  all  night.  Preaching  at 
Shangpeter's  Tuesday,  at  Peter  Meyer's  Wednesday,  and  at  Dider's 
Thursday.  Quarterly  meeting  begins  at  John  Shuey's  Saturday, 
October  10.  Lambert,  a  Methodist,  preaches  Sunday.  At  night 
I  preach  in  Middlebrook  and  lodge  with  Bernard  Lauman.  Sacra- 
mental meeting  at  Senseny's,  near  Middletown,  Sunday,  October 
18,  and  same  night  I  preached  in  Newtown. 

1808 
Monday,  May  23,  I  lodge  at  Shepherdstown  on  my  way  to  con- 
ference, and  see  an  elephant  for  the  first  time.  I  am  59  years  old. 
Conference  began  Wednesday  and  closed  Friday.  The  brethren 
were  assembled  at  Senseny's.  A  quarterly  meeting  on  Sleepy 
Creek,  Sunday,  September  18.     Ride  home  with  Henry  Reiner. 

Preached  in  German  and  English  at  Henry  Frey's  in  Loudoun, 
December  31.  The  meeting  (a  w^atch-night)  continued  till  after 
midnight.    On  New  Year's  day,  preached  at  Philip  Frey's. 

1809 
Arrived  at  Harrisonburg.  Sunday,  March  5,  where  a  thousand 
people  were  attending  the  Methodist  conference.  Henry  Boehm 
preached  in  German  after  Bishop  Asbury,  and  was  followed  by 
Jacob  Gruber  and  myself.  Next  day  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  consult  with  me  to  see  whether  any  union  could  be  effected 
between  the  two  churches,  and  it  met  the  day  following.  We  dis- 
cussed many  and  difYerent  subjects,  but  had  nothing  else  in  view 
than  the  furtherance  of  the  cause  of  our  Master.    In  the  afternoon 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


63 


I  was  invited  to  attend  the  conference,  and  received  a  resolution 
in  writing  which  I  was  to  deliver  to  William  Otterbein.  Sunday, 
March  12,  I  preached  at  Middletown  in  both  languages,  and  rode 
to  Winchester,  where  Roberts  and  Henry  Boehm  preached  at  night. 

Preached  in  Loudoun  at  Frey's  and  Philip  Eberhardt's,  March 
24-26. 

Sacramental  meeting  in  same  county,  July  29-30. 

Camp  meeting  at  Smithiield,  August  25-29,  about  6,000  being 
pres^ent.  Spoke  at  Winchester  last  day  of  meeting,  then  go  to 
Harrisonburg,  where  there  is  a  large  congregation,  Sunday,  Sep- 
tember 3.  After  the  Lord's  supper  an  old  Methodist  named  Greaves 
spoke  in  a  most  wonderful  strain.  Monday,  a  meeting  at  Shuey's, 
where  one  person  fell  to  the  ground  with  the  jerks  and  shook  in 
every  limb  in  a  very  remarkable  manner.  Tuesday,  a  meeting  at 
John  Peters',  and  Friday  one  at  David  Funkhouser's,  where  I 
spoke  in  English.  Quarterly  meeting  at  Stony  Creek  Sunday. 
Preaching  in  Woodstock  Tuesday,  September  12,  and  W^ednesday 
at  Huddle's  schoolhouse  and  Christian  Funkhouser's.  Sacramental 
meeting  at  John  Senseny's  Thursday  and  Friday.  Saturday, 
preached  at  Winchester  in  the  German  Presbyterian  (German 
Reformed)  church.  A  very  large  congregation  here  Sunday,  Hinkle, 
a  Methodist,  closing  the  sacramental  service.  A  two-day  meeting 
began  at  Duckwalt's  on  Sleepy  Creek,  October  14,  Hinkle  preaching 
Sunday. 

1810 

Preached  at  Frey's  in  Loudoun,  September  22. 

Preached  at  Mr.  Evans's  near  Shepherdstown,  December  3. 

1811 

Meeting  in  Shepherdstown,  March  3,  at  John  Funkhouser's, 
March  10. 

April  22,  my  wife  dies  and  I  break  up  housekeeping,  moving 
to  my  son  Andrew's  where  I  have  my.  own  room  and  my  board 
when  I  am  at  home  with  him. 

Preached  in  Shepherdstown,  Tuesday,  June  4,  and  at  John 
Senseny's  Friday.  Quarterly  meeting  began  at  Jacob  Funkhouser's 
Saturday.  Preached  at  Woodstock  Sunday  night,  and  at  Michael 
Homan's  Monday.  A  two-day  meeting  began  at  Peter  Meyers's 
Tuesday,  June  11.  Preached  at  Peter  Rider's  Thursday.  Sacra- 
mental meeting  began  at  Lewis  Shuey's  Saturday,  Christian  Smidt 
being  present.  Preached  at  Altdorfer's  Monday,  at  Henry  Huff's 
Tuesday,  at  John  Peters's  Wednesday,  at  George  Funkhouser's 
Thursday,  at  Henry  Geeting's  Friday,  and  Sunday  at  Abraham 
Funkhouser's  and  Niswander's.  At  Shepherdstown,  Wednesday, 
June  26,  I  exhorted  after  Enoch  George.  A  young  woman  was 
converted  and  next  morning  we  learned  that  her  father  cow- 
hided  her  for  going  to  a  Methodist  meeting. 


g2  UNITED  BRETHREN 

Wednesday  we  preached  to  a  large  congregation  at  Funkhouser's,  • 
5o  miles  alav.    Thursday,  1  rode  40  miles  to  Homan  s  llndm.  the 
house  Tun  of  people.     Saturday.  T  opened  a  quarterly  meeting  at 
Pe  er  Meyer's    and  at  night  preached   at   KaufTman  s   in   EngUsh 
Many  people  ^yere  present  Sunday.    Rode  15  miles  to  Jacob  Brunk  s 
Moniarthere  ^vas   a   meeting   at   Mr.   Shauter's  Tuesday   one   at 
Rhinehart's.  Wednesday  one  at  Woodstock.    Saturday  and  Sun.  a> 
there   yyas   a   quarterly   meeting   at   NisNyanders   and    at    night    1 
nreached  in  Winchester.  ^ 

^Thursday,  August  27,  I  reached  a  camp  n.eeting  near  Crum  s. 
Saturday  and  Sunday  there  ^vas   a  quarterly  nieeting  on   SleeD> 
Creek      Monday,  at  the  camp  ground,  ^ve  had  the  most  powerful 
time   1   ever   beheld.     September   2,   I   lodged   with   .loseph    (.nsop 
beyond  Frankford.     A  thunderstorm  at   night  was  so  severe  that 
the  family  got  out  of  bed  and  spent  some  time  singing  and  V^^y^f 
Preached   at  Mr.  Roth's   and   at   Christian   Funkhousers,   Wed- 
nesday,  September   30,   and   next    day    at    A.    KaufTman  s       Friday 
I  heard  the  celebrated  Lorenzo  Dow  in  Woodstock,  and  rode  2o 
miles  with  him  to  a  camp  meeting,  where  he  preached  at  candle- 
light  and  at  sunrise  next  morning.    A  quarterly  meeting  at  Homan  s, 
Saturday   and   Sunday.     Return   to  the   camp   ground^  where   the 
singing,'  praying,  and  shouting  continue   all   night.     Preaching  at 
Shanc^^eter's  Tuesday,  at  Peter  Meyer's  Wednesday,  and  at  Dider  s 
Thursday.     Quarterly  meeting  begins   at   John   Shuey's   Saturday 
October  10.     Lambert,   a   Methodist,   preaches   Sunday.     At    night 
I  preach  in  Middlebrook  and  lodge  with  Bernard  Laumnn.     Sacra- 
mental  meeting   at   Senseny's,   near   Middletown,   Sunday,   October 
18    and  same  night  I  preached  in  Newtown. 

1808 
Monday,  May  23,  1  lodge  at  Shepherdstown  on  my  way  to  con- 
ference, and  see  an  elephant  for  the  first  time.  I  am  59  years  old. 
Conference  began  Wednesday  and  closed  Friday.  The  brethren 
^^'ere  assembled  at  Senseny's.  A  quarterly  meeting  cm  Sleepy 
C-eek  Sunday,  Septemt)er  18.  Ride  home  with  Henry  Reiner. 
"  Preached  in  German  and  English  at  Henry  Frey's  in  Loudoun, 
December  31.  The  meeting  (a  watch-night)  continued  till  after 
midnight.    On  New  Year's  day,  preached  at  Philip  Frey's. 

1809 
\rrived  at  Harrisonburg.  Sunday.  March  5,  where  a  thousand 
people  were  attending  the  Methodist  conference.  Henry  Boehm 
preached  in  German  after  Bishop  Asbury,  and  was  followed  by 
,lacob  Cruber  and  myself.  Next  day  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  consult  with  me  to  see  wliether  any  union  could  be  etlec  ed 
between  the  two  churches,  and  it  met  the  day  following.  We  dis- 
cussed manv  and  diflerent  subjects,  but  had  nothing  else  in  view 
than  the  furtherance  of  the  cause  of  our  Master.     In  the  afternoon 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


63 


I  was  invited  to  attend  the  conference,  and  received  a  resolution 
in  wTiting  which  I  was  to  deliver  to  William  Otterbein.  Sunday, 
?tlarch  12,  I  preached  at  Middletown  in  both  languages,  and  rode 
to  Winchester,  w^here  Roberts  and  Henry  Boehm  preached  at  night. 
Preached  in  Loudoun  at  Frey's  and  Philip  Eberhardt's,  March 
24-26. 

Sacramental  meeting  in  same  county,  July  29-30. 
Camp  meeting  at  Smithfield,  August  25-29,  about  6,000  being 
present.  Spoke  at  Winchester  last  day  of  meeting,  then  go  to 
Harrisonburg,  w^here  there  is  a  large  congregation,  Sunday,  Sep- 
tember 3.  After  the  Lord's  supper  an  old  Methodist  named  Greaves 
spoke  in  a  most  wonderful  strain.  Monday,  a  meeting  at  Shuey's, 
where  one  person  fell  to  the  ground  with  the  jerks  and  shook  in 
every  limb  in  a  very  remarkable  manner.  Tuesday,  a  meeting  at 
John  Peters',  and  Friday  one  at  David  Funkhouser's,  where  1 
spoke  in  English.  Quarterly  meeting  at  Stony  Creek  Sunday. 
Preaching  in  Woodstock  Tuesday,  September  12,  and  Wednesday 
iit  Huddle's  schoolhouse  and  Christian  Funkhouser's.  Sacramental 
meeting  at  John  Senseny's  Thursday  and  Friday.  Saturday, 
preached  at  Winchester  in  the  German  Presbyterian  (German 
Reformed)  church.  A  very  large  congregation  here  Sunday,  Hinkle, 
a  Methodist,  closing  the  sacramental  service.  A  two-day  meeting 
began  at  Duckwalt's  on  Sleepy  Creek,  October  14,  Hinkle  preaching 
Sunday. 

1810 
Preached  at  Frey's  in  Loudoun,  September  22. 
Preached  at  Mr.  Evans's  near  Shepherdstown,  December  3. 

1811 
Meeting   in    Shepherdstown,    March    3,    at    John    Funkhouser's, 
March  10.^ 

April  22,  my  wife  dies  and  I  break  up  housekeeping,  moving 
to  my  son  Andrew's  where  I  have  my  own  room  and  my  board 
when  I  am  at  home  with  him. 

Preached  in  Shepherdstown,  Tuesday,  June  4,  and  at  Jolin 
Senseny's  Friday.  Quarterly  meeting  began  at  Jacob  Funkhouser's 
Saturday.  Preached  at  Woodstock  Sunday  night,  and  at  Michael 
Homan's  Monday.  A  two-day  meeting  began  at  Peter  Meyers's 
Tuesday,  June  11.  Preached  at  Peter  Rider's  Thursday.  Sacra- 
mental meeting  began  at  Lewis  Shuey's  Saturday,  Christian  Smidt 
being  present.  Preached  at  Altdorfer's  Monday,  at  Henry  Huff's 
Tuesday,  at  John  Peters's  Wednesday,  at  George  Funkhouser's 
Thursday,  at  Henry  Geeting's  Friday,  and  Sunday  at  Abraham 
Funkhouser's  and  Niswander's.  At  Shepherdstown,  Wednesday, 
June  26,  I  exhorted  after  Enoch  George.  A  young  woman  was 
converted  and  next  morning  we  learned  that  her  father  cow- 
hided  her  for  going  to  a  Methodist  meeting. 


64 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


65 


Saturday.  August  3,  a  two-day  meeting  began  at  Philip  Frey'* 

'"  'Ctst  "l  reached  a  quarterly  meeting  on  Sleepy  Creek  Crum, 
Du^k  V  and  Reiser  being  present.  Next  day.  Strawbr.dge.  a 
Method  :  preached  with  great  etTect.  so.ne  conung  forward  wth 
streaming  eyes,  while  others  stood  giggling  and  laughing. 

181 2 

Preached  at  Henry  Frey's  March  22. 

1814 

Preiched  at  Henrv  Frey's  January  9.  ,      ,   ,     ..r-,.-     , 

o.tS;^\rs-rwi=\t=:^:^n.rr= 

E!;=;sSs-=fBisi;:i^^ 

''°ie':  s^riental  n.eting  at  Mt.  Artz's  in  Shenandoah.  The 
peop"e  could  not  leave,  but  continued  to  sing  and  pray  all  mght^ 
T^rnmenfd  meeting  at  Lewis  Shuey's,  June  11-12.  James 
Sewd  a  in  or,  Methodist,  assisting.  Two-day  meet  ng  began 
at  Peter  MeyeVs-s,  June  14.  Night  preaching  ,n  English  at  Zun- 
nerman's  near  Keezeltown.  Ro.le  more  than  40  nules  an<  preached 
at  Nwters.own.  June  17.  Sunday.  June  19.  preached  at  the  wulow 
Funkhouser's  and  at  Niswander's. 

1815 
Preached  at  Henry  Frey's.  September  17. 

1816 
Quarterly  meeting  began  at  the  widow  Funkhouser's,  Saturday,. 
April  13.    Spoke  at  Mr.  Hay's  Monday. 

At  a  camp  meeting  August  22-26,  where  more  than  120  tents 
were  up  and  many  thousan.l  people  present.  Great  good  was 
Ine  Pre.ched  in  Stoverstown,  We.lnesday,  August  27.  Thursday 
at  MelchoA'  on  Stony  Creek.  Friday  morning  at  Yellow  Springs 
fVida  n°ght  at  the  house  of  John  Matthias  in  Hardy.  Sacramental 
meet  ng  f  Frederick  Doubs.  .August  30-31  at  N.swander's  Septem- 
ber  3,  next  day  at  Bear's.    One  at  Swoope's,  September  6-7. 

1818 

Praeched  to  a  large  congregation  at  John  Senseny's,  March  12. 

1819 

Preached  at  Christian  Crum's,  Wednesday,  September  1.  Sun- 
H.v  preached  at  Mill  Creek  in  both  languages.  September  8-14, 
a  c;mp  meeting  in  Rockingham.^one  of  the  best  I  ever  attended. 

Rode  to  Winchester,  July  30,  finding  Christian  Crum  very  near 
the  end     Preached  the  funeral  discourse. 

Camp   nieeting   at   George    HofTman's   in    Rockmgham,    August 


2-8.     with   delightful   weather  the  whole  week.     Meeting   in    the 
schoolhouse  near  the  widow  Funkhouser's,  August  8. 

1821 

Preached  in  Winchester,  Sunday,  August  12.  A  meeting  Monday 
at  Mr.  Blind's,  Camp  meeting  at  George  Hoffman,  August  16-21. 
Many  will  remember  it.     Exhorted  in  Stoverstown,  August  22. 

1822 

Sacramental   meeting  at  William  Smidt's  in   Newtown. 

1823 

I  attended  the  dedication  of  our  new  meeting  house  at  Littles- 
town,  Pa.     (This  is  the  first  dedication  mentioned  by  Newcomer.) 

1828 

Attended  a  Sunday  School  with  the  children,  June  22,  and 
closed  it  with  prayer.  (This  is  Newcomer's  first  mention  of  a 
Sunday  School.) 

Preached  Saturday.  August  30,  at  a  camp  meeting  in  Shenan- 
doah from  Psalm  XL,  3-5.  Sunday,  preached  from  John  V.  0-8. 
Lodged  at  Jacob  Weitzel's  in  Rockingham,  September  4.  1  had 
married  him  to  Peter  Brown's  daughter,  September  5,  1820.  Mon- 
day, came  to  a  camp  meeting  in  this  neighborhood.  It  closed 
September  10,  then  rode  to  Mr.  Weitzel's  and  preached  there  at 
night  in  English.  Next  day  a  meeting  at  Lauman's.  September  12, 
came  to  a  camp  meeting  at  Jacob  Lenlz's  in  Brock's  Gap,  the 
seventh  I  have  attended  this  summer.  Many  people  present,  but 
most  of  them  hard  and  unaffected. 


CHAPTER  IX 

THE  EARLY  PREACHERS 

Let  us  pass  i..  review  the  "great  meetings"  that  were 
s<,  prominent  a  feature  of  the  United  P.retliren  movement 

in  its  early  period.  ..  ,         •     ,  ,..-,>„ 

Otterhein  ^vas  a  city  preacher.  With  a  smgle  exceptu.n 
Ins  paslorates  were  in  places  large  for  a  time  when  Amer- 
ican cities  were  few  and  small.  And  yet  h.s  greatest  wo.k 
was  doP.e  in  the  countiy  at  those  seasons  of  the  vear  w  k^ 
meetings  could  he  held  in  the  open  air  or  m  large  i.i  less 
huildinus.  His  leading  associates,  Hoehm  and  Geetmg. 
preached  only  to  congregations  of  country  people 

The  great  meeting  took  i.lace  once  a  year  m  a  gne. 
locality,  hut  sonu-tinu.s  twice.     It  hegan  on  ^"^- ">--; 
nsuallv  lasted  three  days.     It  was  announced  ^^ ell  m  ad 
V     ce'and  much  preparation  was  made  for  the  occasion. 
T  Igr  at  meeting  was  the  event  of  the  year   because  s.,me 
noted  preachers  came  from  a  distance  to  hold  it      Even 
he  best  settled  parts  of  America   were   comparatively  a 
vide  ns    to  the'end  of  the  colonial  age.    Postotfcc.  were 
exceedin-'lv  few,  and  the  rates  of  postage  were  well  mgh 
;  ■  Mhltive-.     A   letter  was  very   often   -f-'-l  .  «  ;-- 
,nvate  person  wl,o  could  act  as  a  '— Z/'^^''--^™'  f\ 
he   meeting   were    therefore   spread   orally.      Most   oi    the 
.*    ,,    ants  came  on  horseback  or  afo..t,  because  there  was 
n        el  icle   except    the   road    wagon   and   not    every   trail 
uld  be  used  by  it.     Nevertheless,  great  crowds  gathered 
and  the  community  was  taxed  to  the  utmost  to  teed  and 

'"'fome'mes  the  meeting  was  in  the  open  air.     But  the 

thrinv  farmer  of  German  birth  or  parentage  was  ,pi. te  sure 

;     e    n  immense  barn,  and  such  a  building  served  quite 

well  to  accommodate  the  throng.     Newcomer  once  men- 

^'"'Ti;;sriSiV:^e  looked  forward  to  with  satisfac- 


CHURCH   HISTOID 


()7 


tion  by  the  evaiii^elists  themselves.  Finding  themselves 
lonesome  in  their  own  formal  denominations,  they  sought 
each  other's  society  in  religious  gatherings.  A  leader  m 
the  great  meeting  found  sweet  fellowship  in  his  associates. 
Other  ministers  were  often  i)resent,  and  if  they  had  the 
evangelical  spirit  they  would  take  part. 

The  preaching  was  positive  and  dogmatic.     'Thus  saith 
the  Lord;*  settled  all  cpiestions.     Great  stress  was  laid  on 
the  new  birth.    The  contrast  was  drawn  between  ruin  and 
death  bv  sin  and  salvation  and  eternal  life  through  faith  in 
Jesus  Christ.     Preacher  and  follower  were  alike  spiritual 
and   emotional.     It   was   the   common   thing  for  pinitents 
and  converts   to  make  their  appearance  at  every  service. 
"The  great  tenet  of  this  new  preaching  was  a  mystical 
union  with  God  through  Christ  Jesus,  causing  a  spiritual 
regeneration,  which  changed  the  heart  so  radicaPy  as  to 
produce  a  new  man  in  ideals  and  desires,  and,  thc^refore, 
in   ethical   conduct.     Form   and   ceremony   were   nothing; 
everything  was  continued  in   spirit   and  life.     From    the 
natuVe  of  the  case,  the  position  assumed  by  these  reform- 
ers on  (luestions  of  morals  and  conduct  was  radical.    Their 
religion    was    individual,    their    scriptural    interpretation 
literal,  and  their  ethical  standards  high.     Hence  they  had 
little  tolerance  for  what  they  deemed  unscriptural.'' 

During  the  intervals  between  two  great  meetings  the 
people  were  left  mainly  to  their  class  and  prayer  meetings. 
There  was  an  occasional  sermon  if  a  preacher  could  be 
found  These  praver  and  experience  meetings  were  held 
in  private  homes,  the  experience  consisting  in  the  feelings 
or  ideas  with  respect  to  the  inner  and  spiritual  life.  There 
were  not  vet  anv  organized  church  activities,  and  all  the 
people  could  talk  of  was  what  they  thought  or  felt.  Men 
and  women  accustomed  themselves  to  oral  prayer,  and 
some  of  them  could  pray  in  public  with  great  power  and 
etiect  These  home  meetings  developed  leaders,  who  were 
very  instrumental  in  grounding  in  faith  and  hope  the  peo- 
ple who  zealously  followed  them. 

We  now  pass  on  to  the  period  1800-1830. 


68 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


The  United  Rrethrcn  organization  arose  as  a  revival 
church.  It  took  its  adherents  mainly  from  "Satan's  side 
of  tlie  hne/'  instead  of  from  other  folds  or  from  people 
with  a  training  in  churchliness.  *The  early  preachers  were 
therefore  heralds  of  salvation  to  lost  men.  When  they  had 
faithfully  urged  their  hearers  to  flee  the  wrath  to  come', 
they  considered  their  duty  performed.  After  'going  over 
the  circuit'  and  preaching  gratuitously  they  went  home. 
They  built  no  houses  of  worship,  gave  no  attention  to  the 
training  of  the  young,  set  in  motion  no  working  activities^ 
and  collected  no  money,  unless  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor." 

So  the  preacher  came,  preached,  and  went  home,  and 
he  paid  his  own  way.  He  worked  on  his  farm  till  well 
into  Saturday,  then  rode  a  long  distance,  preached  that 
night  and  two  or  three  times  Sunday,  giving  his  religious 
experiences  and  his  meditations  on  the  Scriptures  witli 
special  reference  to  the  future  life.  All  the  people  had  to  do 
was  to  hear  the  preacher,  feed  him  and  his  horse,  and  then 
wait  till  he  came  again.  It  was  the  general  opinion  that 
preaching  could  be  done  by  men  almost  wholly  engaged  in 
other  callings  and  without  previous  training. 

Otterbein  and  Boehm  had  licensed  converts  who  felt  it 
their  duty  to  preach.  This  practice  v.as  continued  and 
converts  were  often  licensed  immediately  on  their  con- 
version. The  preacher  who  could  produce  the  greatest 
eff'ect  was  considered  to  be  moved  by  divine  power.  The 
convert  called  was  in  most  instances  in  possession  of  a 
wonderful  religious  experience,  and  his  sermon  would  en- 
force that  ex[)erience  with  a  i)owerful  appeal  c^dculated  to 
stir  the  emotions  tremendously. 

It  is  not  strange  that  with  such  a  hasty  method  both 
ministers  and  members  were  often  irregular  and  unreliable. 
Thousands  of  people  know  nothin'^  of  Christianity  except 
as  it  is  illustrated  in  the  lives^  of  those  who  possess  it. 
Being  unacquainted  with  the  Bible  and  far  from  God,  they 
have  no  other  standards  of  measurement.  Backsliding  was 
likely  to  have  a  wide  reaching  influence.  But  a  close  dis- 
cipline was  put  into  practice  in  the  new  church.     Hearing 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


m 


complaints  against  ministers  was  a  prominent  feature  in 
the  proceedings  of  almost  any  conference. 

A  well-developed  itinerant  system  did  not  come  in  a 
day.  The  early  preachers  in  the  United  Brethren  move- 
ment had  some  outside  employment,  on  which  they  de- 
pended for  support.  They  were  reaHy  local  preachers. 
Each  formed  a  circuit  about  his  own  home,  with  the  pre- 
sence and  assistance  at  irregular  intervals  of  the  leading 
l)reachers.  He  left  home  when  lie  could  do  so  with  the 
least  prejudice  to  his  bread  winning  pursuit.  It  was  ruled 
that  those  who  preached  (.nly  where  they  lived  were  to 
have  no  compensation,  ai  d  wh.al  they  did  collect  they 
were  to  turn  over  to  the  benefit  of  the  traveling  ])reacliers. 

A  regular  itinerancy  beran  in  \^i)\  when  ten  preachers 
consented  to  travel  as^  directed  by  their  superior  ollicers. 
Newcomer  sought  to  improve  the  melhod  thus  begun.  He 
considered  the  itinerancy  an  apostolic  mode,  and  wa^ 
quick  to  see  its  adaptability  to  new  and  thinly  peopled  dis- 
tricts, like  those  into  which  his  church  was  penetrating. 

The  imperfect  itinerancy  of  the  pioneer  epoch  waJv 
criticized  by  Bishop  Asbury.  In  his  church  the  system  was 
well  organized  and  ran  like  clock-work.  It  was  because 
of  this  e.niciency  that  the  Methodist  Church  was  making 
its  wonderful  growth. 

After  1830  there  was  better  organization  in  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  and  a  ministry  that  gave  its  whole  time 
to  the  work,  although  its  support  was  meager.  The  num- 
ber of  local  preachers  on  the  roll  of  the  Virginia  Confer- 
ence has  steadily  diminished,  and  during  the  last  quarter- 
century  not  one  has  been  received. 

Until  1841  the  circuit-rider  had  a  maximum  salary  of 
$80  a  year  if  a  single  man,  and  twice  that  allowance  if  he 
were  married.  The  salaries  were  then  raised  to  $100  and 
$200,  respectively.  No  higher  compensation  was  allowed 
the  bishop  than  to  the  preacher  working  under  him. 


CHAPTER  X 

reminiscp:nces  of  somk  early  preachers 

In  the  present  chapter  we  present  some  reminiscent 
ohservations  of  several  of  the  United  Brethren  ministers 
who  were  in  active  service  hetween  1800  and  1800.  Lhiet 
amon^  those  writini>  their  recollections,  when  on  ^Ihe 
western  slope  of  the  rugged  mountain  of  life;'  was  deoroe 
W.  Station,  who  in  1900  was  living  in  Colorado. 

The  reminiscences  below  are  by  John  W.  Fulkerson. 
The  Vir^nnia  Conference  of  1855,  held  at  Mount  Hebron, 
is  spoken   of  as  containing  forty-three   men,   present  and 
absent      \11  were  of  good  preaching  ability,  sound  m  doc- 
Irine,  devotional,  zealous,  and  bold  as  lions.    They  sensibly 
enjoyed    the    Christian   religion     themselves,   and     insisted 
that  all  other  persons  should  have  a  realizing  knowledge  ot 
the  divine  power  to  salvation,  if  they  desire  to  be  sure  ot 
heaven   at   the   end  of   the  present   life.     They   felt   called 
upon   to   take  a  stand  for  vital  piety,  to  advocate  a  pure 
spiritualitv,  to  preach  a  religion  that  has  in  it  the  power 
of  the  Holv  Spirit  to  such  an  extent  that  the  proiessor  may 
know  he  lias  passed  from  death  unto  life.     The  fathers  of 
the  conference  had  a  heavy  conflict  on  their  hands,  tor  the 
formal  churches  had  brains,  education,  and  influence,  and 
thought  the  United  Rrethren  were  fanatics,  or  fit  subjects 
for  r  hospital  for  the  insane.     These  formalists  united  to 
sciuelch  the  evangelical  movement  with  all  the  powers  they 
could  command,  and  these  were  not  insignificant. 

The  aflairs  of  the  conferences  of  the  50's  were  man- 
acted  by  three  strong  men:  Henry  Burtner,  Jacob  Mark- 
^^"ood.  and  Jacob  Bachtel.  The  measures  they  originated 
and  advocated  were  adopted,  and  what  they  opposed  was 
sure  to  fail,  no  matter  by  whom  it  was  supported.  They 
were  invulnerable,  but  the  conferences  were  well  managed. 
These  men  were  intellectually  ahead  of  the  other  members. 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


71 


They  were  devotedly  attached  to  one  another  and  to  the 
church. 

Burtner  was  the  oldest  of  the  three,  and  was  at  this 
thne  a  retired  itinerant,  his  education  being  wholly  in  the 
German.     In  1842  he  came  to  Dayton  from  Cumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  now  living  on  a  fine  farm. 
His  preaching,  which  wiis  mainly  in  German  was  of  depth 
and  power.     He  was  above   the  medium  height,  of  com- 
manding   appearance,   and    possessed    a    fine    countenance 
and  a  verv  penetrating  eye.     Burtner  was  genial,  benevol- 
ent, and  hOspitable.     His  home  was  oi)en  to  all  his  brother 
ministers,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  and  to  the  mem- 
bership of  the  church  as  well.     He  was  admitted  to  con- 
ference in  1820,  and  died  at  Dayton  in  1857.     A  powerful 
man,  he  was  a  factor  not  to  be  ignored  in  the  councils  of 
his  church.     His  voice  was  heard  with  no  uncertain  sound 
in  several  of  the  general  conferences. 

Jacob  Markwood  stood   next   in   authority,  but   unlike 
what  was  true  of  Burtner  his  power  and  influence  did  not 
lie  in  his  business  ability.     He  was  a  close  student,  a  good 
thinker,   and   a   great   orator.      In    fluency   and   m    use   ot 
beautiful   language   he   was    rarely   excelled.      In   his    best 
moments  he  would  carry  as  by  magic,  and  whithersoever 
he  i)leased,  the  largest  and  most  unruly  audience.     In  his 
denunciations   of   the   popular   evils   of    the   day,   he    was 
severe,  sarcastic,  and  emphatic  in  the  extreme,  and  witha 
so  regardless  of  the  possibile  consequences  to  himself,  that 
he  would  have  his  audience  mad  enough  to  want  to  hang 
him.    Then,  in  a  few  momc  nts  and  with  cyclo.nic  power,  he 
would  have  his  hearers  weeping,  as  though  with  broken 
hearts,  and  some  of  them  screaming  for  mercy  as  if  the 
flunes  of  hell  were  consuming  them.     In  another  moment, 
and  as  with  the  speed  of  the  lightning^s  flash,  the  power 
of  his  elocfuence  would  be  turned  to  the  uplifting  mfluence 
of   the  gospel,   to   the  abundant   blessings  of   Christianity, 
and  for  its  supreme  enjoyment   in   this   life   and   the   lite 
bevord      The  whole  audience  would  soon  be  m  a  whirl  ot 
olorv    and  loud  hallelujahs  would  come  from  every  part 


il 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


of  the  house.  At  the  dedication  of  Mount  Zion  church  near 
the  viUa^^^e  of  Mount  Solon,  he  preached  two  and  one-half 
hours  from  the  text,  "We  have  come  unto  Mount  Zion/' 
But  sometimes  Mark  wood  failed  and  failed  hudly.  He 
was  tender-hearted  and  often  4>ave  his  last  dollar  to  the 
poor.  It  is  told  of  him  that  while  he  was  on  the  road  to 
preside  over  a  conference  in  Ohio,  he  overtook  an  old  man, 
thinly  clad,  and  to  all  appearance  in  ill  health.  Markwood 
at  once  oot  out  of  his  huggy,  and  walked  with  the  man 
a  short  distance,  meanwhile  puttint>  several  questions  to 
him.  Then  he  took  off'  his  double-cape  overcoat  and  gave 
it  to  the  stranger.  News  of  the  incident  reached  the  con- 
ference, and  another  warm  coat  was  provided  for  the 
bishop. 

Jacob  Bachtel  was  in  some  particulars  second  to  neither 
of  the  other  men.  In  personal  appearance  he  was  of 
medium  height,  well-proportioned,  and  keen-eyed.  His 
hair  was  bushy  and  stood  straight  up.  His  fine  appearance 
and  commanding  address  gave  him  much  influence  in  the 
camp-meetings  and  other  out-of-door  gatherings.  He  was 
moral  in  every  sense  of  the  word  and  strictly  conscientious. 
Hachtel  was  not  a  man  to  be  trifled  with,  for  he  felt  that 
ihe  life  and  work  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel  is  a  most  im- 
portant and  serious  thing.  In  the  i)uli)it  he  was  i)lain  and 
practical.  He  hated  every  form  of  sham  and  handled  it 
without  gloves.  He  was  particularly  severe  on  a.^iosticism, 
infidelity,  and  Romanism,  and  in  this  direction  he  was  no 
mean  antagonist.  Although  he  stood  unflinchingly  for 
what  he  considered  to  be  the  right,  he  had  in  his  private 
character  the  tenderness  of  a  loving  Christian  mother.  He 
would  never  go  back  on  a  persf  nal  friend.  In  the  genera! 
conferences  he  was  an  influential  factor,  and  as  a  presiding 
elder,  to  v/hich  office  he  was  rei)eatedly  elected,  he  was 
always  helpful  to  the  preachers  under  his  care. 

Jacob  J.  (Hossbrenner  was  a  charier  member  of  the 
Virginia  Conference  ar.d  in  muiy  respects  a  great  man. 
He  was  tall  and  slender,  with  a  commanding  forehead. 
His    black    eyes    Hashed    intelligence.      His     language     was 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


73 


chaste  and  correct.  In  the  pulpit  he  called  a  spade  a 
spade  when  dealing  with  the  eternal  destiny  of  immortal 
souls.  Though  not  deep  in  his  thought,  he  was  popular  as 
a  preacher,  and  the  pulpits  of  other  churches  were  oi)en 
to  him.  His  themes  were  of  the  most  exalted  character 
and  always  dwelt  on  the  bright  encouraging  side  of  Chris- 
tianity and  the  happy  results  of  Christian  living.  He  ap- 
peared to  have  no  taste  for  dwelling  on  the  sins  of  wicked 
men  or  the  corruption  of  the  times.  As  a  bishop  he  was 
careful  and  conservative,  his  management  giving  general 
satisfaction.    By  his  family  he  was  much  loved. 

William  R.  Coursey  was  prominent  in  the  early  liistory 
of  the  church  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.     He  was  long  an 
itinerant,  and  this  meant  preaching  nearly  every  day,  week 
days  as  well  as  Sundays,  and  on  a  meager  salary.     He  had 
a  wife  and  six  or  seven  children.    It  seems  now  an  impossi- 
bility to  keep  eight  or  nine  persons  on  an  income  of  $200 
a  year,  yet  it  was  done,  and  Frederick  circuit,  which  was 
large  and  wealthy,  allowed  it  to  be  endured.     There  were 
twenty-six  appointments  in  this  circuit,  and  yet  he  had  few 
presents,   and   his   assistant,   $90   salary   and    no   presents. 
Neither    did    Coursey    receive    anything    for    his    children, 
although  it  was  left  for  the  ([uarterly  conference  to  make 
an  additional  allowance  for  the  su])port  of  the  minister's 
children.     Coursey  was  modest,  retiring,  and  a  safe  coun- 
selor.    He    was    of    a    good    family,    a    good    student,    a 
metliodical  thinker,  one  of  the  most  successful  of  teachers, 
and  was  considered  a  model  preacher.     He  was  devotedly 
pious   and   strictly   religious.      He   was   often    a    presiding 
eld'jr  and  was  sent  to  the  general  conference. 

John  Ruebush  had  but  a  limited  education,  yet  was 
active  and  hard-working,  and  in  many  respects  a  most  re- 
markable preacher.  During  his  ministry,  many  j)ersons 
v/ere  gathered  into  the  church,  ard  many  others  were  so 
drawn  toward  it  that  they  were  never  able  to  break  away 
from  its  influence,  and  years  later  came  into  the  fo'd.  The 
pathos  in  his  voice  when  he  was  preaching  or  sinking  was 
most   afl'ectino.     Tlie   sermons   of   Ruebush    could    not   be 


74  UNITED   BHETHHEN 

considered  learned,  nor  was  his  rhetoric  according  to  the 
rules;  yet  he  moved  whole  audiences  as  the  tempest  moves 
the  trees  of  the  forest.  He  was  great  as  a  revivalist.  A 
pastoral  charge  in  his  care  was  a  very  poor  i)lace  for  hack- 
sliding,  and  this  happened  to  but  few.  He  and  'is  co- 
laborers  depended  entirely  on  the  earnest  preaching  of 
the  gospel,  the  power  of  spiritual  song,  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  the  gracious  assistance  of  si)iritual 
enthusiastic  church  members.  Revivals  then  meant  sc.ine- 
thing.  They  meant  permanent  societies.  Ruebiish  would 
have  scorned  the  kinks,  twists,  and  stratagems  of  th.e  aver- 
age professional  revivalist  of  to-day.  To  the  old  United 
Brethren  minister  or  member,  their  methods  would  have 
been  disgusting  and  \\ ould  have  been  deemed  a  travesty 
on  the  Christian  reliiion.  Ruebush  was  the  first  regular 
preacher  to  be  sent  to  the  South  Hranch  of  the  Potomac, 
and  was  largely  instrumental  in  establishing  the  Unitecf 
Brethren  Church  there.  He  was  sent  as  a  missionary  to 
establish  the  church  in  Tennessee.  Such  an  errand  meant 
severe  i)ersecution  and  even  jeopardy  of  life,  because  of 
the  anti-slavery  record  of  our  church.  Yet  at  much  finan- 
cial loss  Ruebush  faced  the  dangers  and  endured  the  hard- 
sliips  until  he  had  planted  the  church  on  that  unfavorable 
soil,  where  it  is  still  growing  and  prospering. 

l^)enjamin  Stickley  was  unique.  The  Virginia  Confer- 
ence never  had  but  one  '^Uncle  Ben,''  and  will  never  have 
another.  Before  conversion  it  was  his  special  delight  to 
annoy  the  religious  gatherings  of  Christian  people.  He 
would  not  raise  a  disturbance  himself,  but  would  induce 
others  to  do  so  by  bribing  them  with  plenty  of  whiskey. 
The  more  fuss  he  could  make  the  greater  his  fun,  although 
he  would  keep  himself  out  of  sight.  When  he  was  con- 
verted at  a  camp  meeting  he  had  two  bottles  of  whiskey 
in  his  pockets.  His  whiskey  was  a  free  treat  to  his  row(!v 
comrades.  He  did  not  sell  it  to  them  as  camj)  meeting 
roughs  have  done  in  later  years.  When  Stickley  was  con- 
verted, he  was  converted  through  and  through.  All  his 
chums  in  wickedness  were  forsaken.     His  still  was  at  once 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


75 


given  up.  Although  he  could  hardly  read  his  text  or  his 
Scripture  lesson,  he  began  holding  meetings  every  Sunday, 
sometimes  riding  forty  miles  to  reach  an  appointment  and 
get  home.  Stickley  was  j)()or,  he  had  a  large  family  to 
support,  and  as  he  received  nothing  from  his  preaching  he 
had  to  work  hard  to  keei)  the  wolf  from  the  door.  He  thus 
worked  several  years  before  he  ^^as  received  into  the  con- 
ference. He  was  always  sent  to  the  mountain  circuits, 
which  were  large  and  v  liose  i)e()ple  vrere  poor.  He  had  to 
travel  and  preach  nearly  every  day  in  the  year  and  got 
little  for  his  work  in  a  pecuniary  way.  Yet  sMiging  and 
j)raying  he  would  go  away  from  conference  a^d  l.oiiu.  rjid 
at  the  end  of  the  year  would  report  more  r,ouls  gathered 
into  the  church  than  was  true  of  any  of  his  co-laborers. 
He  had  a  powerful  voic(^  and  Bachtel  said  of  one  of  his 
sermo'.s  that  it  could  almost  be  heard  in  hell.  Stickley 
Avas  tlu^  first  missionary  sent  across  the  Alleghanies  into 
the  bounds  of  what  is  now  the  Parkersburg  Conference. 
W?.al  is  now  West  Virginia  was  then  in  great  part  an  un- 
inha})ited  wilderness.  The  mission  circuit  covered  three 
hi:  dred  mi.es,  with  preaching  nearly  every  dav  in  the 
ye-r.  But  a  good  report  was  always  sure  to  come,  even 
if  there  were  little  money  to  mention.  Stickley  was  a 
missiv  nary  here  at  the  time  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
split  on  the  slavery  (juestion.  Excitement  was  up  to  the 
danger  ])()int.  One  day  while  he  was  passing  the  office  of 
a  leading  lawyer  of  the  to\Mi  of  Weston,  th.e  lawyer  ci^J.bd 
him  ir,,  saying:  *T  want  to  talk  with  you.  Be  seated," 
Stickley  asked  what  was  wanted.  "There  is  great  excite- 
ment on  slavery  between  the  North  and  the  South,"  was  the 
reply.  "The  great  Methodist  Church  has  split,  the  nation 
is  also  going  to  divide,  and  it  is  all  important  that  every 
citizen  take  his  stand  and  show  his  colors.  We  all  want 
to  know  which  way  you  are  going."  Stickley  responded 
with  one  of  his  most  ])leasant  smiles,  naming  the  ends  of 
his  mission  field:  *T  go  up  here  north  as  far  as  the  town 
of  Fetterman,  and  south,  as  far  as  Steer  Creek.  If  you  and 
your  niggers  doif  t  get  religion,  you  will  all  go  to  hell  to- 


76 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


gether."    The  lawyer  had  nothing  further  to  say.     Stickley 
was  known  to  be  an  uncompromising  Union  man.     When 
the  ci\il  war  broke  out  and  the  Southern  feehng  became 
intensely  bitter,  Stickley  was  thrown  as  a  traitor  into  a 
filthy  prison.     He  soon  became  broken-hearted    and    his 
glorious    manhood   was    squelched.      When     liberated,    he 
sacrificed  his  farm  and  other  property,  left  the  home  and 
friends  of  a  lifetime,  and  migrated  to  Iowa,  where  in  no 
long  time  he  died,  never  recovering  his  former  spirit  and 
ambition.    After  preaching  a  sermon  at  Washington,  Iowa, 
and  asking  the  people  to  sing  a  hymn,  he  died  in  the  pulpit. 
In    1847   George    Hoffman    was   still   a   local   preacher, 
though  still  an  elderly  man.     He  was  the  senior  member 
and  had  traveled  a  circuit  before  the  old  conference  was 
divided.     He  did  not  now  go  home  and  do  nothing,  but 
regularly  attended  the  quarterlies  and  the  annual  confer- 
ences, preaching  whenever  asked.     For  some  years  he  was 
the  conference  book  agent,  serving  without  a  salary  and 
getting  only  a  small  commission   on   his  sales.     He  thus 
made  himself  a  most  useful  man  and  w^as  much  a  factor 
in  shaping  the  policies  of  the  church.     Hoffman  had  little 
education  and  was  not  a  great  preacher,  yet  he  had  great 
intluence,  having  the  faculty  of  impressing  himself  and  his 
opinions  most  powerfully  on  both  ministers  and  laity.     He 
had  very  decided  convictions  as  to  what  was  right  in  the 
att'airs  of  the  church,  and  he  had  the  backbone  to  stand 
up  to  his  convictions.    Splendid  conmion  sense  and  a  great 
fund   of   practical   knowledge    were    his,   both    in    worldly 
matters  and   the  affairs   of   the   church.     Hoffman    was   a 
very  lielpful  associate,  and   the   ruling   authorities   of   the 
cliurcli  called  him  much  into  their  councils.    He  was  also 
nicest  companionable,  being  a  fine  talker,  full  of  anecdote 
and  thrilling  incident  connected  with  his  long  and  useful 
life,  and  he  had  the  happy  faculty  of  relating  these  things 
in   an  interesting  way.     Many  was    the   time,    when     the 
writer  of  these  reminiscences  would  go  to  Hoffman's  house, 
luxl  work  hard  all  day,  perhaps  cutting  and  hauling  in  fire- 
wood, so  that  the  old  gentleman  might  go  with  him  to  his 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


77 


quarterly  meetings  in  and  across  the  mountains.  For 
Hoffman  was  acquainted  with  every  path  and  every  home, 
and  was  loved  and  respected  by  all  the  mountain  people. 

The  same  writer  gives  a  personal  incident.  At  a  con- 
ference session  in  March,  1850,  the  only  daughter  of  Jacob 
Funkhouser,  an  interesting  young  lady,  seventeen  years  of 
age,  came  into  chui-ch  in  the  afternoon,  this  being  the  first 
time  she  attended  conference  in  day  time.  The  pews  faced 
the  doors,  and  by  looking  straight  ahead,  one  could  see 
every  ore  coming  into  the  church.  The  writer  looked,  saw, 
and  was  conquered.  By  the  time  she  had  reached  her  seat, 
he  had  decided  she  was  the  ideal  of  the  woman  he  wanted. 
He  had  not  been  thinking  of  marrying  for  at  least  five 
years,  and  in  his  case  there  were  good  reasons  why  mar- 
riage should  be  delayed.  But  in  looking  at  Miss  Funk- 
houser, the  matter  was  settled  at  once.  She  and  her  family 
were  perfect  strangers,  yet  he  made  up  his  mind  to  marry 
her  very  soon  if  it  were  all  right  with  her.  He  had  been 
traveling  a  circuit  three  years,  had  been  over  the  whole 
conference  district,  and  had  become  acquainted  with  hun- 
dreds of  interesting  young  ladies,  many  of  them  suitable 
for  becoming  the  wives  of  preachers.  Yet  not  one  of  them 
had  appealed  to  him  as  a  wife.  There  was  now  the  pur- 
pose to  marry  as  soon  as  lie  could.  But  it  took  months  of 
the  most  assiduous  courting  before  the  wish  was  accom- 
plished. The  Funkhousers  were  Lutherans.  A  vouna 
Lutheran  minister  wanted  her  as  much  as  he  did,  and 
prosecuted  his  suit  with  all  the  power  that  was  in  him. 
Devotion,  persevcrai.ce,  and  ardent  love  won  a  triumph, 
and  the  marriage  was  solemnized  by  Jacob  Markwood.  Yet 
the  couple  were  permitted  to  walk  together  only  fourteen 
months. 

About  this  time  the  narrator  was  assigned  to  Winches- 
ter circuit,  which  included  twenty-nine  appointments 
scattered  over  the  counties  of  Frederick,  Morgan,  Berkc^lev, 
Clarke,  and  Warren.  His  colleague  was  John  K.  Perry,  a 
most  unpromising  candidate,  who  had  a  hard  time  getting 
into  conference,  although  it  turned  out  there  was  no  mis- 


78 


UNITED   BHETHREX 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


■J 


(r»ke  in  adniittini^  him.    Each  of  the  two  men  made  a  round 
every  live  weeks,  meetin<>  twice  iii  every  round  at  llie  liouse 
of  Isaac  Stanholtz,  not  far  from  the  Morgan  line.     There 
they  speid  one  nii;iit   toijiether,  the  preachinij  being  alter- 
nately by  the  two  men.     The  narrator's  revival  meeting  at 
tlie   Quaker   meeting   house    near    Anthony  Funkhouser's 
resulted  iii  about  eightv  conversions  and  three  new  church 
bui-dings:  United  Hreth.ren,  Lutheran,  and  Reformed.     As 
])reacher-in-chari:e,  he  i>ave  a  sermon  one  Sundav  mo'/nin.g 
at  the  meeting  at  Green  Spring.     The  large  building  .was 
well  filled,  both  iloor  and   gallery,   with   intelligent,   well- 
to-do  pe(n)le.     The  narrator  was  thought  to  be  much  the 
better  preacher,  and  used  for  his  text,  ''Vanity  of  vanities, 
saiiii  the  preacher,  all  is  vanity."     But  the  sermon  was  a 
mc  si  wretched  failure  and  very  mortifying  to  the  preacher 
as  well  as  to  all  the  friends  of  the  church.     Jacob   Hott 
invited  Iviu  to  dinner,  as  was  his  custom,  his  home  being 
open  to  all  the  ])reachers.     Hott  was  a  most  excellent  judge 
of  preaching  and   one   of   the   grcnitest   ''Scrip torians''   the 
w  riter  ever  knew.     ^Yhen  about  halfwav  home  he  looked 
toward  the    preachers  and  said    in    a    laughing  manner^ 
"Brother  Station,   it   was   vanity  of  vanities    all    the   way 
through  and  nothing  but  vanity.     Why  did  you  not  take  a 
text    that    had    something    in    it?     Then    you    could    have 
preached  a  sermon  that  we  would  not  be  ashamed  of."  The 
good  dinner  was  not  enjoyed  by  a  certain  one  of  the  guests. 
At  nigh.t  Perry  preached  to  another  crowded  house  a  ser- 
mon thai  was  excellent,  considering  that  at  that   time  he 
was  inexperienced,  and  uncouth  and  awkward  in  address. 
Tliis  time  he  won   the  laurels  and  carried  them   away  in 
glorious   triumph.     On    this   circuit     Station's   salary    was 
$140,  his  colleague's  $100.     Yet  they  lived  on  what  they 
received  and  were  happy.     Perry  was  a  devout  Christian, 
lived  an  h.onored  life,  and  died  in  old  age  at  Philadelphia. 
Before  his  conversion   George  B.   Rimel   was   a   hard- 
working farmer,  and  afterward  he  still  labored  with  his 
liands  a   good  deal.     He  was  without   human   polish   and 
destitute  of  the  learning  of  the  schools,  and  from  a  human 


viewpoint  was  a  most  unpromising  candidate  for  the 
ministr}\  Yet  he  had  a  strong  mind  and  was  unquestion- 
ably called  to  preach  the  gospel.  He  was  powerful  in 
prayer  and  clear  and  pointed  in  his  application  of  Bible 
truth  to  the  conscience.  Churches  sometimes  err  in  call- 
ing men  into  church  work,  but  God  never  does.  The  work 
Rimel  ])erformed  could  not  have  been  done  by  anyone 
else.  He  was  forceful  and  his  style  of  preaching  was  much 
needed  in  the  early  history  of  the  conference.  He  was  its 
Boanerges.  He  gave  sledgehammer  blows  at  sin  without 
fear  of  the  consequences,  for  there  was  no  fear  in  him. 
During  a  revival  in  Harbaugh's  Valley,  Maryland,  his 
speech  was  so  plain  and  hard  that  the  people  were  greatly 
offended.  Some  half  dozen  men  made  an  attack  on  him 
as  he  was  going  home  from  meeting.  "Boys,"  said  he, 
"let  me  alone.  Don't  touch  me.  If  you  do,  I  w  ill  straighten 
my  arm  on  you  that  the  Lord  has  given  me  with  which  to 
defend  myself,  and  you  will  think  a  horse  has  kicked  you. 
1  don't  want  to  hurt  you."  There  w^as  no  further  trouble 
in  that  neighborhood.  At  another  time,  while  on  his  way  to 
Brock's  Gap,  Rimel  lodged  with  Andrew^  Horn,  a  prominent 
member  near  Turleytown.  There  was  a  union  church  in 
his  neighborhood,  and  it  w  as  a  moderately  good  building  for 
those  days.  Horn  w  as  asked  why  it  was  not  used,  and  was 
told  that  every  preacher  had  been  run  off  by  rowdies,  this 
element  having  sworn  there  should  be  no  more  preaching 
in  Turleytown.  Rimel  asked  Horn  to  circulate  an  appoint- 
ment, an  evening  in  the  following  week,  and  he  would 
preach  on  his  return  from  the  Gap.  Horn  at  length  con- 
sented, and  there  was  a  large  congregation.  The  services 
began  in  the  regular  way,  and  until  the  middle  of  the 
sermon  the  house  was  quiet.  Then  a  disturbance  arose  in 
the  farther  end  of  the  room.  In  a  gentlemanly  way  Rimel 
asked  the  toughs  to  behave  themselves.  This  only  made 
matters  worse.  Then  the  preacher  paused  in  his  discourse, 
and  asked  if  some  person  would  give  him  the  names  of 
the  disturbers.  The  rowdies  bawled  out  their  own  names, 
and   these  were  written  down  by  Rimel.     "To-morrow," 


80 


UNITED   BI^ETilHEN 


said  he,  "I  shall  see  the  proper  ollicers  of  the  law,  and  have 
you  arrested  and  presented  for  your  unruly  eonduet  here 
to-night/'     There  was  quiet  during  the  remainder  of  the 
serviees  and  another  appointment  was  made.    In  the  morn- 
ing Rimel  had  to  pass  through  the  town,  where  a  crowd 
of  furious  men   were  awaiting  him.     The   leader  of   the 
gang  caught   the  preacher's   horse   by   the   bridle   and   de- 
manded that  (he  paper  containing  the  names  be  given  up. 
Rimel  refused  and  the  bully  then  attempted  to  pull  him 
off'  the  horse.     **Hold  on,"  said  Rimel,  "I  can  get  off  my- 
self.''    As  he  dismounted  he  slipped  off  his  overcoat,  and 
then  made  the  following  announcement:    'T  am  not  afrai(i 
of  all  the  people  in  Turleytown,  and  I  can  whip  them  all 
if  they  will  fight  fair.     I  can  whip  the  whole  pack  of  you. 
I  shall  only  need  to  get  in  one  or  two  licks  on  a  man,  and 
every  man  I  hit  will  never  know  what  hurt  him."     He  then 
made  a  pass  at  the  rovvdy  captain,  who  at  once  showed  the 
white  feather  and  ran.     Rimel  remounted,  but  had  gone 
only  a  little  way  when  some  one  shouted  for  him  to  stop. 
The  preaclier  turned  about.     The  spokesman  said  the  men 
were  sorry  for  what  they  had  d(}ne,  and  if  the  matter  were 
dropped,  they  would  be  his  friends  and  protect  him  in  his 
meetings,  for  they  much  admired  a   brave   man.     There 
were   no    more   interruptions   and   Turleytown    became   a 
reformed  place. 

The  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Parkersburg  conferences 
were  all  one  in  1818,  and  included  only  seven  circuits: 
Frederick,  Hagerstown,  Winchester,  Woodstock,  Rocking- 
ham, Augusta,  and  South  Rranch.  Frederick  included  all 
of  Frederick  (in  Maryland),  Carroll,  parts  of  Raltimore 
and  Montgomer>%  and  some  territory  in  Virginia  (Lou- 
doun?). It  was  a  four  weeks  circuit.  Now  (1899)  there 
are  seven  charges:  Frederick  station,  Frederick  circuit, 
Meyersville,  Mechanicstown,  Keys,  Littletown,  and  Man- 
chester. Hagerstown  circuit  covered  all  Washington  and 
parts  of  Alleghany  and  Rerkeley.  In  this  territory  are  now 
Hagerstown  station,  Middleburg,  Williamsport,  Roons- 
boro,  Keedysville,  Berkeley,  and  Martinsburg  station.   Win- 


CHUHCH   HISTORY 


81 


Chester  circuit  included  all  of  Frederick  and  Morgan,  and 
parts  of  W^irren,  Rerkeley,  and  Jefferson.  In  1849  it  was 
a  five  weeks  circuit  with  thirty-two  appointments.  Wood- 
stock circuit  included  all  of  Shenandoah  and  took  in  the 
Lost  River  country,  the  fathers  preachi  :g  at  many  places 
not  now  occupied  by  the  United  Rrethren.  Rockingham 
circuit  took  in  all  Rockingham,  including  the  Rrock's  Gap 
region.  Augusta  circuit  was  a  trip  of  ene  hundred  miles, 
coverin.,^  all  of  Angusta  and  Rockbridge,  the  Pastures,  and 
part  of  Highland.  Rut  the  Presbyterian  Church  was  too 
V  ell  planted  in  most  of  this  territory  for  our  denomina- 
tion to  gain  much  foothold.  The  South  Rranch  circuit 
covered  Hamj)shire,  Hardy,  Grant,  Mineral,  and  a  part  of 
Pendleton.  Traveling  one  of  fl)ese  circuits  meant  some- 
tlfing:  self-denial,  hardship,  liviir^  from  home  all  tlie  year, 
the  great  danger  from  crossing  swollen  streams,  and  the 
machirations  of  men  who  thought  it  a  great  thing  if  they 
could  get  the  better  of  a  preacher  of  the  United  Rrethren 
and  Methodist  churches. 

In  early  days  South  Rranch  circuit  was  called  "the  Col- 
lege." When  a  preacher  found  himself  assigned  to  this 
field  it  went  very  hard  to  think  of  going  there.  Rut  his 
comrades  would  come  to  his  rescue,  saying  he  must  go 
to  "the  College"  willingly  or  he  could  not  be  graduat(^d 
into  the  itinerancy  as  a  permanent  member.  So  he  would 
always  go,  but  with  a  wry  face  and  thoughts  very  emphatic 
in  their  meaning.  One  of  these  men  was  Albert  Day,  him- 
self a  nc:tive  of  the  Norlh  Fork  valley,  and  there  converted. 
His  first  year's  salary  was  $50,  yet  many  years  afterward 
he  wrote  that  it  was  his  "firm  conviction  that  no  voimi<^ 
man  is  lit  for  the  ministry  who  would  refuse  to  work  for 
?^'5()  during  his  first  year  and  the  good  that  he  cruU]  accom- 
l)lish." 

Writing  from  Minnesota  in  1900,  John  W.  Fulkerson 
wonders  if  the  walnuts  and  locusts  in  front  of  his  child- 
hood home  are  now  mammoth  trees,  the  spring  a  lake,  the 
hills  mountains,  the  narrow  valleys  great  plains,  the  sheep- 
nose  and  damson   trees  scattered   to   the   winds.     He   was 


*S2 


UMTEI)   BHETHHEN 


received  into  conference  in  1843.  The  preachers  of  that 
period  were  sterhng  men,  competent,  industrious,  and 
economical.  Ministerial  support  was  meager  and  called 
for  economy  in  the  home.  Fulkerson  was  first  sent  to  ''the 
College,"  which  he  found  ''marvelous  in  extent,  hut  the 
scenery  suhlime,  the  air  halmy  and  bracing."  The  twenty- 
four  appointments  paid  $64.40,  but  Selim,  the  dapi)le  rid- 
mg  horse,  made  the  salary  go  far  enough.  The  moral 
atmosphere  for  producing  ministerial  life  was  strong  in 
Pendleton  and  Frederick.  In  his  soliloquy  on  what  "some 
of  our  college-j)added  preachers  of  to-day  would  do  with 
such  a  charge,"  Mr.  Fulkerson  observes  that  "simplicity 
of  dress  with  both  men  and  women  has  always  been  an 
admonition  with  me.  If  the  greedy,  unnecessary  expenses 
of  the  Christian  Church  in  dress,  living,  and  house  furnish- 
mg  were  wisely  applied  to  the  building  of  church  houses 
and  missionary  ett'ort,  the  world  would  soon  be  brought 
to  God."  United  Brethren  services  were  then  being  trans- 
ferred from  the  German  to  the  English.  The  Mrginia  Con- 
ference was  having  four  stubborn  diiliculties  to  deal  with. 
The  German  speech  was  giving  way  to  the  English.  The 
church  could  hold  the  parents,  but  the  children  were  pass- 
ing out  of  its  control.  George  Hildt,  a  strong  representa- 
tive preacher,  had  four  sons  preaching  in  other  denomina- 
tions. Another  was  too  long  a  delay  in  opening  church 
schools.  A  third  was  slavery.  Many  good,  honest  slave- 
holders attending  the  services  of  the  church  approved  its 
doctrines  and  methods.  Yet  they  did  not  see  their  way  to 
become  members  because  they  sometimes  became  owners 
of  slaves  not  from  choice,  but  by  legacy  or  marriage.  The 
last  cases  of  slavery  in  the  United  Brethren  Church  were 
disposed  of  in  1851.  A  fourth  cause  was  secrecy,  which 
turned  awav  hundreds.  Fulkerson,  however,  mentions  a 
fifth,  when  he  remarks  that  a  false  attitude  on  church  sup- 
port is  hard  to  correct.  He  preached  one  full  year  where 
one  member  of  his  flock  was  vSaid  to  be  worth  $80,()()().  xVt 
the  end  of  the  year  this  man  handed  him  a  dollar.  The 
preacher  looked  at  the  munificeni  gift  with  astonishment. 


CHURCH  HISTOIIY 


U.J 


"Do  not  be  startled,"  remarkckl  the  money-grubber,  "I 
have  heard  better  preaching  than  you  gave, —  (referring 
to  the  fathers),  and  it  did  not  cost  me  a  cent." 

Before  any  of  the  Station  family  joined  the  United 
Brethren,  they  called  the  sect  fanatical,  because  they  had 
been  reared  in  the  blue-stocking  idea  that  all  rehgious 
meetings  must  be  conducted  in  decency  and  order.  When 
Rimel  was  presiding  elder  the  Brethren  had  a  camp-meet- 
ing at  Gulp's  old  ground.  J.  F.  Station  attended,  more 
through  curiosity  than  anything  else.  He  was  then  a  young 
man  of  twenty-four  and  had  taught  several  years  in  his 
home  neighborhood.  At  the  Sunday  night  service  Rimel 
preached  in  German,  giving  sinners  such  sledgehammer 
blows  that  Station  was  pounded  into  unconsciousness. 
When  he  came  to  himself  he  found  himself  at  the 
mourner's  bench,  a  place  he  had  despised  above  any  other, 
not  excepting  the  saloon.  Before  the  altar  service  closed. 
Station  was  most  powerfully  converted,  and  he  never  got 
over  the  shouting  proclivity  he  then  acquired.  The  Statton 
family  had  a  lender  recollection  of  the  names  of  George 
B.  Rimel,  John  Ruebush,  and  John  Fulkerson.  It  was  the 
devout  prayer  of  J.  F.  Statton  that  the  outpouring  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  in  Pentecostal  showers  might  return  to  the 
church  in  all  her  revivals.  "Some  of  the  old  fellows  are 
aetlina  awfully  tired  of  the  machinery  revivals  of  the  i)ro- 
fessional  evangelist." 

Andrew  J.  Haney  entered  the  conference  in  1831.  He 
opened  the  mission  between  Knobby  Hills  and  the  South 
Branch.  Hershey,  Markwood,  Ruebush,  and  Fulkerson 
followed  consecutively.  "The  College"  was  healthy,  happy, 
romantic,  the  picturesque  scenery  adding  enchantment  to 
the  toil.  1845  was  a  good  year  on  South  Branch,  and  the 
f^ood  effects  were  to  be  seen  many  years  later.  An  aged 
man  dvinu  of  cancer  asked  Fulkerson  to  preach  his  funeral 
sermon.  A  day  was  appointed,  the  whole  country  around 
gathered,  and  the  preacher  talked  to  them  and  the  sick  man 
from  Isaiah  XLVI,  4.  The  man  died  within  the  month. 
This  was  the  first  and  last  time  he  conducted  a  funeral 


84 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


85 


service  for  a  person  still  livini,^    Haney  clian<4ed  his  preach- 
ini,^  from  German  to  Eni^^lish,  and  though  it  was  a  "kind 
of  mixture,"  he  was  still  very  successful.     He  made  it  a 
point  to  look  after  the  youni,^  and  to  interest  them  in  church 
activities.    His  first  home  as  a  [)reacher  was  with  Abraham 
Funkhouser,  whose  two  children  were   taui^^ht  in   English 
and  this  compelled  him  to  converse  with  them  in  the  same 
language.     He  visited  about   one    hundred    families    this 
year.     He  rode  up  to  P>enjamin  Stickley's  place  and  asked 
him  if  he  would  keep  a  preacher.    ''Yes,  and  his  horse  too," 
was  the  response.    Haney  praised  the  i)urity  of  the  water 
and  though  he  did  not  say  so,  he  thought  it  ran  into  a  very 
filthy   place.     As   they   turned   away   from   the   spring,   he 
told  Slickley  he  knew  of  a  purer  fountain.     The  distiller 
understood  the  allusion  and  said  Haney  must  j)reach  here. 
Stickley  sent  out  his  children   to  solicit  an  audience  and 
fixed  seats  under  the  sugar  trees  near  the  stillhouse.     It 
was  after  this  that  Stickley  became  a  Christian  and  tore  out 
his  still.     Both  Haney  and  Hershey  held  meetings  at  his 
house  and  a  number  were  there  converted.     Stickley  told 
others  that  after  Haney  preached  his  first  sermon  at  his 
place  ho  could  make  no  more  whiskey,  and  that  what  l:e 
had  in  his  barrels  leaked  out. 

George  E.  Deneal  wi's  '\smart  and  sharp  as  a  tack,"  but 
once  found  his  eciiial.  He  was  preaching  on  a  week-day 
in  a  private  home  and  few  people  were  present.  At  the 
end  of  !he  sermon  the  [)reacher  asked  all  who  wanted  to 
go  to  iieaven  to  risc>  to  their  feet.  All  stood  except  Mr. 
SlimlK  It.  Deneal  then  asked  all  who  wished  to  go  to  hell 
to  stand.  SlimhoU  remained  seated.  The  minister  was 
non-pluss'.d.  ''You  are  a  strange  man.  You  neither  want 
lo  gc)  to  heaven  or  hell.  W:cr?  do  you  want  to  go?" 
"When  I  am  regularly  dismissed,  I  want  to  go  home,"  was 
the  man's  reply. 

J.  Zahn  was  a  good  musician  and  companionable.  He 
was  poor,  settled  down,  and  got  married.  In  driving  up 
to  a  hotel  in  Romney  he  thus  addressed  the  negro  porter: 
"Monsieur,     seize     this     quadruped     by     its     government,, 


, 


extricate  it  from  the  vehicle,  arrange  it  in  a  separate  de- 
partment, polish  it  with  care,  give  provender  according 
to  debility  of  its  body,  and  at  even  I  will  compensate  your 
master."  The  white  in  the  darky's  eyes  enlarged,  his  teeth 
shone,  and  he  made  this  remark  to  the  proprietor,  who 
was  inside  the  hotel  ofhce:  "Come  out,  here  is  a  F'rench- 
man  talking  (ireek."  After  supper  the  negro  turned  the 
tables  on  Zahn  by  a  demonsiratic  n  of  his  powers  as  a 
singei'. 

The  following  i)iihy  characlerizalion  has  been  made  as 
to  certain  of  the  early  ])roachers: 

Haer  was  thoughtful  imd  v.alchful;  Shuey  was  liberal 
and  generous;  S])essard  was  femir"ne  and  modest;  P>achtel 
was  fearless  and  irdepend  nt:  Tobey  was  critical  and  well 
informed;  Miles  was  handsome  and  animated;  Hrashear 
was  a  sermon  memorizer;  Hires  was  a  noble  singer  and 
strong  revivalist;  Knott  v;as  a  giant  in  exhortation,  an 
exercise  that  usually  followed  a  sermon;  Rhinehart  was 
of  fine  physique,  powerful  voice,  unusual  preaching  talent, 
and  tremendous  energy  in  exhortation. 

"William  R.  Rhinehart  was  a  tall,  stately  man,  attrac- 
tive and  commanding,  a  good  scribe,  a  fine  singer,  a  com- 
])()ser  and  compiler  of  music,  a  good  organizer,  with  aggres- 
sive spirit  and  was  an  incessant  worker.  At  times  he  lacked 
in  the  use  and  application  cf  means  to  the  end  he  had  in 
view.  He  was  somewhat  learned  but  not  finished.  At 
times  he  could  produce  dashes  of  fine  taste  and  create 
drafts  of  statement  with  forcible  simplicity  and  general 
admiration.  Some  of  his  i)ulpit  'fine  sayings'  would  occas- 
ionally turn  a  somersault,  and  hastily  plunge  into  a  comic 
anecdote  or  illustration  bringing  his  attitude  and  system 
of  thought  to  grate  on  the  minds  of  the  fastidious.  Rhine- 
harf s  range  of  thought  and  influence  as  an  advocate,  filled 
an  extensive  sphere  in  the  church.  In  his  palmiest  days 
he  was  a  i)ower  at  camp  and  quarterly  meetings.  His 
silver  eloquence,  strung  upon  the  golden  thread  of  the 
gosi)el,  would  sparkle  like  diamonds  before  the  minds  of 
his  audience  and  attract  a  whole  camp  meeting.     He  was 


m 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


an  advanced  reformer,  first  in  journalism,  first  in  temper- 
ance work,  first  in  the  missionary  enterprises,  a  leader  in 
sabbath  school  work  and  pleaded  for  a  better  support  of 
the  ministry.  He  lived  and  died  leaving  a  fragrant  name 
in  the  church. 

Geo.  B.  Rimel  possessed  a  fine  physique,— healthy, 
ruddy,  beef-eating  appearance,— a  notably  handsome  per- 
son. His  preaching  did  not  consist  in  pompous  phrases 
or  brilhant  expressions,  but  terse,  good  sense  and  original- 
ity. His  mind  moved  like  a  timber  wagon  loaded  with 
Bible  facts.  The  lion-hearted  Rimel  did  some  good  sub- 
soil plowing  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  and  is  still  remem- 
bered kindly  by  the  people;  for  with  his  masculine  im- 
passioned exhortation  he  could  move  the  peoi)Ie  to  tears. 
RimeFs  individuality  was  prominent.  Strong  and  reliant, 
he  held  the  truth  of  his  own  convictions  fast  in  the  face  of 
all  opposition. 

Joseph  M.  Hershey  in  youth  was  a  sizeable  man,  pos- 
sessed emotional  emulation.  He  was  bred  and  born 
under  the  influence  of  the  church,  and  w^as  decidedly 
churchly  in  his  feelings.  In  dress  he  was  becomingly 
costunud,  in  manners  quiet  and  dignified,  occasionally  al- 
most cold  and  indifferent,  yet  domestic  in  disj)()sition  and 
loved  home  and  surroundings.  As  a  preacher  he  was  not 
a  brilliant  explorer  of  the  deep  things  of  God,  but  adorned 
his  efforts  with  the  force  of  common  sense  and  aimed  at 
conii)actness  with  some  degree  of  style.  The  last  days 
of  his  life  were  somewhat  foggy,  made  so  by  influences 
over  which  he  had  no  control,  still  we  believe  he  hves 
with  Jesus. 

William  R.  Coursey  was  a  large  man  with  soft  blue 
eyes,  reticent  in  his  social  relations  to  a  fault,  but  con- 
versed agreeably  on  all  subjects  when  you  could  interest 
Mm.  His  preaching  was  on  the  conversational  line.  He 
reasoned  softly,  tenderly  and  eloquently,  without  enthu- 
siasm on  his  part  or  exciting  violent  emotions  in  his  hearers, 
but  i)ressed  the  truth  to  the  judgment  bv  solid  facts 
founded  upon  nature  and  good  sense,  creating  in  the  nv.rd 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


87 


the  sensation  of  peace  and  repose.  Coursey  was  one  of 
the  best  educated  men  of  his  day,  and  possessed  a  sweet 
disposition.  By  his  moral  rectitude  and  careful  habits  he 
had  educated  his  conscience  to  be  his  prompter,  which 
made  him  one  of  the  i)urv\st  and  brightest  ornaments  of 
the  church  in  his  time.  He  lived  and  died  with  the  13th 
chapter  of  First  Cor.  for  his  motto.  Glossbrenner  addressed 
the  head  to  reform  the  life.  Hershey  aimed  at  the  im- 
agination to  i)r()duce  a  ({uickening,  Coursey  labored  to 
reach  Ihe  underslanding,  tiiat  his  people  niiglit  be  instructed 
in  the  way  oi  riglU  living. 

John   ITaney  was   born    April    10,    1807:    was    raised   a 
German  Reformed;   was  a   member  of   that  church   when 
he  began  to  i)reach  in  1821):  joined  the  Pennsylvania  con- 
ference in    181)0,   the  Virginia    conference   in    1831.      First 
circuit  in  Virginia,  recjuired  six  weeks  and  about   100  miles 
travel;    second   year,    Haney,   Coursey,    Glossbrenner    and 
Hershey  travelled  together:  the  third  year  was  made  pre- 
siding elder  and  was  engaged  in  extending  the  work;  fol- 
lowed Peter  Hott  and  others  into  Hardy  county  and  oi)ened 
the   work   there.     Hershey   followed   him   on    that   charge. 
Sometimes  he  had   thirty  ai)pointments.      He   said   in   an 
experience   at   the   Minnesota    conference   in    189."),   '*These 
were  the  happiest  days  of  my  life.    I  had  nothing  to  do  but 
to  gather  in  th(^  lost  sheej)  of  the  house  of  Israel."     "I  am 
a  rough  man.  but  the  roughest  part  is  on  the  outside.     1 
speak^my  mind  right  out:  but  I  never  allowed  my  wrath 
to  see  the  sun  go  down.     Now  my  work  is  done.     1  have 
made  prenarations  to  leave.     1   have  been   much   alone- 
only   the  Telescope.     Oh,  bless   the  Telesco])e.     God  bless 
you  all.    I  shall  not  see  you  again." 

He  never  needed  to  use  glasses  in  reading  and  writing. 
Frederick  Hisey  died  in  Edinburo",  Va..  June  20,  1802, 
aged  about  71  years.  In  tlie  midst  of  the  confusion  of  war 
tiiiies  lie  V.  as  buried  in  liaste  and  v/ithout  a  funeral  sermon. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia  conference,  always  a 
local  preacher,  for  about  25  years.  He  was  an  excellent 
blacksmith  and  worked  at  his  trad-  on  the  main  street  in 


S8 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


the  centre  of  the  villaoe.  His  home  was  the  preacher's 
home.  He  was  of  the  strictest  inteority  and  his  conversa- 
tion was  always  turned  to  the  relioious.  He  rci)rovcd 
warned  and  expounded  the  Scriptures  on  the  street,  at 
the  shoj),  and  in  the  social  circle,  to  saint  aiui  siinier  alike 
He  died  triumphant,  endeavoring  to  sino-,  "A  charoc  to 
keep  I  have,  A  God  to  i^lorifv/'  ^  '^ 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE  TRANSITION  FROM  GERMAN  TO  ENGLISH 

In  1725,  probably  nineteen-twentieths  of  the  half  mil- 
lion inhabitants  of  the  Thirteen  Colonies  were  usini^  the 
English  language  exclusively.  The  Hollanders  of  New 
York  and  the  Swedes  of  Pennsylvania  and  Delaware  were 
fast  breaking  away  from  a  dependence  on  the  mother 
tongue.     The  Germans  in  America  were  as  yet  few. 

After  the  date  just  mentioned,  the  German  immigra- 
tion became  heavy  and  it  almost  accupied  whole  counties 
between  the  Hudson  and  the  James.    These  foreigners  were 
industrious   and   thrifty  and  showed   a   capacity  for  sub- 
stantial citizenship.     But   to  a  great  extent   they   resisted 
Americanization,  and  to  a  still  greater  extent  they  resisted 
the  adoption  of  the  English  language.     They  exhibited  an 
extreme  tenacity  in  clinging  to  the  German  idiom,  especially 
in  the  talk  of  the  home  circle.     Where  Germans  lived  in 
close  contact  with  English-speaking  people,  and  where,  as 
a  consequence,  intermarriages  were  frequent,  the  foreign 
speech  slowly  yielded.     Hut  when  a  Scotch-Irishnuin,  for 
instance,  took  a  German  wife,  the  children  were  likely  to 
become  German-speaking  and  thus  new  territory  would  be 
conquered    for  the    use   of   an    un-American     medium     of 
thought.    Too  few  of  the  newcomers  were  so  broad-minded 
as  pastor  Pretorius.     He  wrote  his  sons  that  although  tiiey 
were  of  a  German  father,  they  were  nevertheless  born  in 
America,  and  he  pointed  out  to  them   that  it  would  be  a 
shame  if  they  did  not  use  the  language  of  the  country. 

Over  a  considerable  part  of  Pennsylvania  the  degenerate 
form  of  German  known  as  Pennsylvania  Dutch  is  still  in 
daily  use.  It  has  no  educational  value,  neither  has  it  an.y 
literary  development  worthy  of  mention.  But  in  the  Val- 
ley of  Virginia,  those  who  spoke  German  and  those  who 
spoke  Enalish  lived  as  neighbors,  and  there  was  much 
intercourse    between    then.i.      Before    the    present    century 


90 


rXITED   RHETHHEX 


bei:(an,  the  use  of  German  had  been  ahiiost  absohitely 
abandoned  in  this  rei>ion.  Tliere  is,  however,  an  area  in 
the  soutlieast  of  Pendleton  that  was  settled  almost  ex- 
clusively by  Germans.  Here  are  more  than  a  thousand 
people,  who,  in  conversing  anions  themselves,  seldom  use 
anything  else  than  a  corrupt  jari>()n  now  reduced  to  a  very 
few  hundred  foreii^n  words.  Not  only  have  these  W(,rds 
lost  tiieir  i>rammatical  terminations,  but  the  commonr  !;t 
idea  can  hardly  be  expressed  without  some  help  from  F  y^- 
lisli  words.  As  in  the  case  of  the  Pennsylvania  Dutc!:,  this 
crumbliuf^  patois  serves  no  necessary  or  useful  purpose 
whatever.  The  people  wiio  use  it  as  home  talk  can  neither 
understand  standard  German  nor  read  the  hu,i;e  German 
Hibles  purchased  by  Uieir  great  grandparents.  Because 
of  this  devoiion  to  a  useless  form  of  speech,  the  dwellers 
in  these  valleys  are  superstitious  as  well  as  unprogressive. 
It  holds  them  back  fi'om  entering  into  the  full  spirit  of 
American  life  and  American  institutions.  This  grouo  of 
people  does  not  include  any  I'nited  Brethren  congregations. 
As  a  medium  of  preaching,  the  German  tongue  has  been 
extinct  within  the  limits  of  the  Virginia  Conference  for 
at  least  eighty  years. 

Wliere  the  (ierman  speech  has  tiioroughly  and  for  some 
time  been  discarded,  the  descendants  of  the  German  immi- 
grants of  the  eighteenth  century  are  almost  indistinguish- 
able from  the  mass  of  the  American  ponulation.  Where 
this  ln»s  not  been  the  case,  the  descendants  still  exhibit 
foreign  peculiarities,  are  reactionary  in  spirit,  and  as 
Americans  are  even  yet  incompletely  assimilated. 

An  etlicit  nl  system  of  popular  education,  put  into  force 
at  least  a  century  ago,  would  long  since*  have  extinguished 
this  unfortunate  display  of  obstinate  conservatism.  Not 
until  iSTO  did  Virginia  take  any  effectual  ste])  in  this  direc- 
tion. Pennsylvania  has  been  almost  as  great  a  laggard. 
For  many  decades  both  these  stales  were  much  remiss  in 
the  civic  as  well  as  educational  duties  toward  their  citizens 
of  non-British  origin.  In  the  colonial  era  the  German 
immigrant  was  tolerated  rather  than  made  at  home.     Too 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


91 


often  he  was  looked  upon  as  a  subject  for  extortion.  In- 
stead of  seeing  that  his  children,  if  not  himself,  developed 
into  genuine  Americans,  the  propensity  of  the  immigrant 
to  be  clannish  was  fostered  and  little  Germanys  on  Ameri- 
can soil  were  unwittingly  encouraged. 

Otterbein  was  twenty-seven  when  he  arrived  in  America, 
and  he  continued  to  preach  wholly  in  German  to  peo])le 
who  knew  little  English.  To  the  last  his  conversational 
English  easily  betrayed  his  foreign  birth,  although  he 
finally  mastered  the  art  of  writing  English  with  force  and 
clearness.  Boehm  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  but  like 
Otterbein  he  preached  only  in  German.  To  the  end  of  his 
long  life  he  couM  not  express  himself  in  Englisli  with 
much  ease.  Geeting,  the  third  of  the  founders  of  the  I  iiited 
Brethren  Church,  also  conhned  himself  to  the  German  in 
his  preaching.  But  Newcomer  soon  found  it  necessary  to 
preach  in  English  as  well  as  in  German.  As  early  as  1800 
he  found  that  little  German  was  understood  at  one  of  his 
Virginia  ap])ointments.  He  remarks  that  though  his  Eng- 
lish was  broken  it  seemed  to  make  some  impression.  His 
audiences  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia  seem  often  to  have 
been  mixed,  and  had  he  not  been  able  to  preach  or  exhort 
in  the  otlicial  language  of  the  United  States,  his  efTiciency 
as  a  bishop  would  have  been  much  impaired. 

So  it  is  not  correct  to  say  that  until  1820  the  preaching 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Virginia  was  almost  exclusively 
in  German.  But  until  that  date  the  use  of  German  was  in 
the  lead.  Only  one  decade  later,  English  was  fast  taking 
the  place  of  the  foreign  tongue.  There  were  several  rea- 
sons for  this  growing  demand  for  English  preaching.  For 
forty  years  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution  the  renewed 
immiiiration  from  Germanv  was  very  small,  and  little  of 
this  small  amount  settled  in  the  region  now  covered  by 
the  Virginia  Conference.  The  children  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren families  were  often  educated  in  English  and  not  in 
German.  Such  persons  would  prefer  to  hear  preaching  in 
the  adoi)ted  tongue.  And  by  reason  of  intermarriage,  or 
the   settling  in   of   new^   comers,   in   nearly   every  locality 


92 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


where  the  United  Brethren  fathers  planted  societies,  there 
Avould  be  people  who  understood  little  German  or  none 
at  all. 

Nevertheless,  the  church  was  slow  to  give  up  the  use 
of  the  foreign  speech.  Until  1833  German  dominated  in 
the  General  Conferences.  In  1819  a  few  copies  of  the 
Disciphne  were  printed  in  English,  but  it  was  not  until 
1837  ttiat  this  book  appeared  in  English,  with  the  accom- 
panying German  version  looking  as  though  it  were  a  trans- 
lation from  Enghsh  to  German  and  not  as  though  the  entire 
book  had  been  translated  from  German  to  English. 

This  tenacity  in  holding  to  a  language  that  has  no 
official  recognition  in  this  country  worked  against  the 
numerical  growth  of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  By 
1820  it  counted  only  20,000  members.  During  one  decade 
there  was  an  actual  loss.  The  children  of  United  Breth- 
ren parents  who  clung  to  the  German  noticed  that  the  un- 
progressiveness  of  the  latter  operated  as  a  handicap  in  the 
matter  of  civic  and  social  opportunities.  There  was  hence 
an  extensive  drift  of  the  younger  generation  into  other 
churches,  esi)ecial!y  the  Methodist. 

But  when  once  the  speech  of  America  had  obtained  the 
mastery  in  the  United  Brethren  pulpits,  the  decline  of  the 
church  was  arrested.  The  falling  away  in  membership 
gave  [)lace  to  an  increase,  this  increase  coming  largely  from 
tlie  non-German  elements  of  the  American  peo])le.  By 
1880  only  one-twenty-fifth  of  the  total  membershi])  of  the 
United  Brethren  were  adhering  to  fhe  German. 

The  United  Brethren  Church  is  now  a  German  denomi- 
nation only  in  the  sense  that  a  very  large  majority  of  its 
communicants  are  of  the  posterity  of  the  German  settlers 
of  PeiHisylvania,  Maryland,  and  Virginia.  But  this  i)os- 
terity  is  now  almost  entirely  American  in  speech  and  still 
more  so  in  thought.  That  many  peoi)le  of  English,  Scotch, 
and  Welch  descent  have  joined  the  United  Brethren  is  not 
because  of  what  may  still  be  termed  a  German  complex- 
ion, but  because  of  their  approval  of  what  the  church  dis- 
tinctivelv  stands  for.     This  non-German  element  has  made 


I 


I 


I 

I 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


93 


a  very  noticeable  impression  on  the  life  of  the  organiza- 
tion. The  non-British  beginnings  of  the  United  Brethren 
are  no  longer  felt.  In  brief,  the  United  Brethren  Church  of 
1920  is  as  truly  an  American  church,  and  in  as  full  har- 
mony with  American  thought,  as  are  the  branches  of 
American  Protestantism  that  are  purely  of  British  origin. 

But  the  deluge  of  foreigners  that  has  been  inundating 
America  since  1810  has  called  the  attention  of  this  church 
to  new  duties.  It  is  in  response  to  this  call  that  the  United 
Brethren  have  entered  the  field  of  foreign  missions.  One 
of  these  fields, — ver>^  appropriately  the  German, — was 
opened  in  1869. 

The  United  States  has  no  official  tongue  but  the  English, 
and  if  the  foreigner  does  not  know  it  on  his  arrival  here, 
it  is  his  business  to  learn  it.  And  yet  there  is  a  sense  in 
which  preaching  in  a  foreign  tongue  to  an  American  con- 
gregation is  quite  proper  and  even  necessary. 

The  thoughts  of  the  newcomer  are  cast  onlv  in  the 
mould  that  is  peculiar  to  his  mother  tongue.  His  compre- 
hension of  thought  uttered  in  English  is  as  limping  as  the 
broken  English  in  which  he  tries  to  converse  with  the 
natives  of  his  adopted  countr>\  If  he  is  denied  the  privilege 
of  hearing  Scriptural  truths  expounded  in  the  only  idiom 
with  which  he  is  truly  familiar,  a  positive  wrong  will  be 
done  him.  It  is  better  for  the  interests  of  Christianity,  and 
even  for  Americanism  in  general,  that  he  should  retain  the 
option  of  listening  to  a  j)reacher  who  is  at  home  in  the 
language  in  which  he  was  himself  reared.  But  unless  there 
has  been  positive  neglect,  on  tlie  ])art  of  the  newcomer  or 
the  community,  or  both,  the  need  that  applies  to  the  for- 
eign-born citizen  does  not  ap])ly  to  his  American-reared 
children.  In  them  the  bridge  has  been  crossed  and  should 
no  longer  be  necessary. 

It  is  greatly  to  the  credit  of  the  United  Brethren  that  as 
a  church  they  have  moved  along  these  very  lines;  slowly, 
it  is  true,  yet  so  surely  and  effectively  that  theirs  is  almost 
the  only  considerable  American  sect  that  does  not  con- 
tinue to  reveal  unmistakably  the  original  foreign  impress. 


CHAPTER  XTI 
THE  CHl'RCH  IN  THE  WAR  OF  1861 

When  the  result  of  tlu^  (election  of  1860  was  made  public, 
the  quarrel  between  North  and  South  eanie  to  a  head. 
Within  six  more  months  there  was  open  war  between  the 
sections. 

In  an  economic.  Or  industrial,  sense,  the  territory 
covered  then  by  the  conference  was  much  more  Northern 
than  Southern.  Slaves  were  few  in  nearly  all  its  counties, 
and  were  owned  by  a  very  small  number  of  the  white 
people.  This  was  notably  the  case  where  the  German 
element  was  strongest.  The  ij;reat  majority  of  the  farm- 
ers worked  their  land  themselves.  They  had  no  interest 
in  slavery  and  no  love  for  the  institution.  There  was  not 
the  social  ban  on  manual  labor  that  existed  in  the  plantini? 
section  of  the  South.  The  chief  commercial  outlet  of  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  was  toward  Haltimore  and  not  toward 
Richmond. 

But  on  the  other  hand,  the  dominatini^"  political  senti- 
ment of  the  entire  valley  was  of  the  Southern  type,  although 
not  unanimous  on  the  subject  of  secession.  Viri^inia  uave 
only  a  few  scattering  votes  for  Lincoln.  The  electoral 
vote  of  the  state  was  thrown  to  l^ell  and  Everett,  the  can- 
didates of  the  Constitutional  Union  party,  their  ticket  beincj 
heavily  supported  in  the  Valley  counties.  On  the  Mary- 
land side  of  the  Potomac,  secession  was  held  in  the  i>reat 
disfavor.  In  the  Virginia  counties  on  or  near  the  Potomac 
were  not  a  few  persons  who  were  equally  hostile  to  the 
doctrine.  In  the  war,  the  Maryland  ])()rti()n  was  in  Con- 
federate hands  only  on  three  or  four  occasions,  and  for  a 
very  few  days  at  a  time.  As  far  south  as  Strasburi>  and 
Front  Royal,  the  Viri^inia  side  alternated  from  one  army  to 
the  other,  yet  was  within  the  Federal  lines  the  i^reater  por- 
tion of  the  four  years.  Still  farther  southward,  the  Valley 
was  nearly  all  the  while  within  the  Confederate  lines.    The 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


95 


ir 


fe  t 


I 


military  situation  was  therefore  such  as  to  encourage 
Unionism  in  the  northern  half  of  the  Conference  district 
and  discourage  it  in  the  southern  half. 

The  stronghold  of  the  United  Brethren  was  first  in  the 
southeast  of  Pennsylvania  and  also  in  the  very  part  of 
Maryland  that  w^as  most  hostile  to  secession.  The  Church 
had  been  pressing  numerously  into  the  West.  South  of 
the  Potomac  its  foothold  was  ver^^  small  in  area,  and 
existed  only  where  agriculture  was  organized  about  the 
same  as  in  the  North.  As  to  slavery,  we  have  already  seen 
that  the  attitude  of  the  Church  was  uncompromising.  Un- 
der all  these  circumstances,  it  was  inevitable  that  the  United 
Brethren,  taken  in  the  mass,  should  have  no  sympathy  with 
the  Southern  program.  The  small  section  of  the  Church 
in  the  two  slave  states  of  Maryland  and  Virginia  could  not 
fail  to  be  out  of  harmony  with  the  Confederate  govern- 
ment, and  to  have  sympathetic  relations  with  their  much 
more  numerous  brethren  in  the  free  states. 

Thus  the  3,000  members  of  the  Conference  were  placed 
in  a  difficult  position.  To  all  intents  and  purposes  they 
were  undeniably  sympathetic  toward  the  Union  cause. 
Their  feelings  were  no  secret  to  such  of  their  neighbors  as 
felt  it  their  duty  to  side  with  the  Confederacy.  To  them 
the  United  Brethren  were  w^hat  the  pro-Germans  were  to 
the  loyal  Americans  of  1914-18.  They  were  held  in  dis- 
trust and  subjected  to  some  persecution.  Some  of  their 
preachers  were  jailed,  and  some  others  had  to  flee  from 
the  state  they  were  living  in.  Some  of  the  members 
crossed  over  into  the  Federal  lines  for  the  primary  purpose 
of  enlisting  in  the  Federal  armies.  Throughout  the  north- 
ern side  of  the  Mason  and  Dixon  line,  the  Brethren  were 
patriotic  in  the  highest  degree.  To  be  a  Democrat  even, 
was  in  some  conferences  to  be  under  suspicion  or  in  some 
instances  to  be  pushed  out  of  the  Church,  while  to  be  a 
secessionist  w  as  to  receive  no  quarter. 

We  have  observed  that  the  northern  portion  of  the 
Conference  was  usually  within  the  Federal  lines,  while  the 
contrary  w^as  the  case  with  the  southern  portion.     This 


9() 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


caused  a  temporary  division  of  the  Conference.  During 
the  four  years  beginning  with  1862,  one  group  of  its  preach- 
ers held  sessions  within  Federal  territory,  while  another 
group  held  sessions  in  Confederate  territory.  Hut  as  a 
rule  the  membership  of  the  two  bodies  were  not  at  odds 
in  political  sympathy.  They  were  simply  making  a  virtue 
of  stern  necessity. 

Bishop  Markwood  \yas  fiery  and  uncompromising.  No 
one  could  be  more  fierce  in  his  invective  against  secession 
and  everything  that  was  involved  with  it.  There  was  a 
reward  for  Markwood's  arrest,  but  he  made  his  escape  to 
the  other  side  of  the  Potomac.  During  the  war  he  presided 
over  the  sessions  of  the  northern  section  of  the  Conference. 

Bishop  Glossbrenner,  who  presided  over  the  southern 
section,  was  of  another  temperament.  He  was  calm  and 
conservative.  There  were  a  thousand  or  more  of  the  mem- 
bers of  his  church  who  were  at  the  outset  within  the  limits 
controlled  by  the  government  at  Richmond.  Witli  brief 
intervals  this  continued  to  be  the  case  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  was  convinced  that  it  was  his  (hity  to  remain 
with  them  and  see  that  they  had  such  adviee  and  protection 
as  his  influence  might  command.  Otherwise,  it  was  cer- 
tain that  their  hardships  would  be  more  severe.  It  speaks 
volumes  for  the  well-balanced  prudence  of  the  bishoj)  that 
in  sj)ite  of  the  suspicion  in  wliicli  his  sect  was  heUL  lie 
would  still  be  able  to  retain  the  respect  and  confidence  of 
those  in  Confederate  authority. 

In  1863  he  applied  for  permission  to  go  within  the 
Federal  lines  in  order  to  attend  the  northern  section  of  his 
conference  and  also  the  Pennsylvania  Conference.  The 
request  was  granted,  although,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
Glossbrenner  was  enjoined  not  to  convey  any  information 
that  might  work  to  the  disadvantage  of  the  Confederacy. 
He  was  thus  put  on  his  honor  and  the  trust  was  not  al)us(^(i. 
On  his  return  similar  restrictions  were  imposed  by  the 
Federal  military  authority.  Yet  there  was  some  difficulty 
in  getting  over  the  lines,  both  going  and  coming. 

For  staying  in  the  South  the  bishop's    motives    were 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


97 


r 


I 


sharply  assailed.  After  the  return  of  peace  he  was  called 
upon  to  defend  his  course.  This  he  did  to  the  satisfaction 
of  his  critics.  He  assured  them  that  he  had  never  wavered 
in  his  loyalty  to  the  Federal  government.  He  had  told 
Stonewall  Jackson  to  his  face  that  he  did  not  wdsh  the 
success  of  the  Confederate  arms. 

The  United  Brethren  preachers  did  not  pray  for  the 
success  of  the  Confederacy,  yet  had  to  be  circumspect  if 
they  were  to  observe  the  civil  authority  in  force  where  they 
were.  The  northern  section  of  the  Conference  was  at  full 
liberty  to  pass  resolutions  in  support  of  the  Union  cause 
and  did  not  hesitate  to  do  so.  T.  F.  Brashear,  presiding 
elder  of  the  southern  district  in  1862,  prayed  for  Federal 
success  at  the  time  the  army  under  General  Banks  was  in 
camp  around  Harrisonburg.  But  Banks  had  to  retire,  and 
Brashear  had  to  flee.  In  1862  the  northern  conference  sec- 
tion passed  the  resolution  that  "we  deeply  deplore  the  un- 
avoidable separation  from  our  brethren  in  Virginia,  and 
hope  that  the  time  is  not  far  in  the  future  when  we  shall 
be  perinitted  to  meet  as  usual  and  continue  our  connection 
as  hitherto.  We  will  thank  God  that  it  is  no  w^orse  with  us 
than  it  is  and  take  courage."  Strong  resolutions  were  also 
passed  in  the  subsequent  sessions. 

At  the  end  of  the  war,  Markwood  exclaimed  that  there 
was  no  longer  a  United  Brethren  church  in  Virginia.  But 
this  was  decidedly  an  overstatement.  The  Church  in  the 
Shenandoah  valley  had  seen  a  very  real  time  of  stress,  yet 
a  nucleus  had  been  preserved,  and  during  the  war  one  house 
of  worship  had  even  been  built.  This  was  Salem  church 
near  Singers  Glen.  But  in  the  devastation  that  had  been 
wrought  throughout  the  length  of  the  valley,  the  mem- 
bership that  had  held  together  were  in  poor  shape  with 
respect  to  church  buildings  or  in  the  ability  to  maintain 
their  preachers.  With  respect  to  the  paper  money  of  the 
Confederate  government,  they  had  lost  little,  since  they 
did  not  let  it  depreciate  on  their  hands.  But  the  close  of 
the  war  found  them  poor,  nevertheless.  In  this  emergency 
the  Marylanders  came  generously  to  the  relief    of    their 


m 


UNITED   BHETHREX 


l)rethren  on  the  other  side  of  the  Potomac.  The  war  had 
not  touched  them  so  harshly,  yet  that  they  did  not  come 
out  unscathed,  the  following  letter,  written  by  Jonathan 
Tobey  to  the  Rev.  William  R.  Coursey,  will  bear  witness. 
It  is  dated  August  9,  1864,  and  was  mailed  from  Pleasant 
Valley,  Maryland. 

"We  suffered  much  in  our  county  from  the  late  rebel  invasion. 
Tt  would  take  volumes  to  enumeraate  all  their  acts  of  wrong, 
crueltv,  and  barbarism.  They  justified  their  conduct  saying  Gen. 
Hunter  did  so,  and  so  Hunter's  conduct  in  Virginia  is  not  justifiable, 
but  .Tohnv  reb  out  done  him  by  far.  The  Johnies  they  robbed, 
kidnapped,  and  burned  in  Maryland.  They  took  all  the  horses 
they  could  see  except  some  lame  ones,  and  all  who  did  not  run 
off  their  horses  or  hide  them  lost  them.  They  entered  private 
homes  in  the  night,  and  demanded  of  the  citizens  their  purses, 
watches,  and  so  forth.  They  shot  a  respectable  citizen  in  his 
own  house  and  in  his  own  bedchamber.  They  plundered  all  the 
stores,  took  meat  away,  and  much  they  destroyed.  They  took 
wagons,  buggies,  and  harness.  They  seemed  to  be  savage  in  their 
manner,  quite  insulting,  and  threatening,  seemed  to  look  upon  the 
Maryland  people  as  enemies,  and  treated  them  as  such.  They  came 
back  to  the  county  twice  since  the  first  invasion,  the  last  time 
took  some  of  our  citizens  prisoners  as  hostages,  for  to  have  some 
of  their  rebs  redeemed.  It  is  unhappy  living  along  the  border.— 
Religion  seems  now  to  (be)  almost  lost,  the  people  were  so  much 
excited  and  lost  so  much  that  (they)  seem  discouraged,  broken 
down." 

It  was  asking  too  much  of  human  nature  to  expect  that 
the  unpopularity  of  the  Brethren  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia 
could  be  thrown  off  in  a  day.  Shortly  after  the  return  of 
peace.  Markwood  visited  a  quarterly  meeting  at  Keezel- 
town  and  was  invited  to  leave.  He  then  went  with  Simon 
Whitesel  to  a  Sunday  school  and  was  invited  by  Whitesel 
to  address  it.  The  entire  audience  immediately  left,  leaving 
the  two  men  alone.  Yet  the  unpopularity  soon  waned  and 
has  long  since  quite  disappeared. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

THE  CHURCH  IN  RECENT  TIMES 

It  is  now  a  little  more  than  a  half-century  since  the 
close  of  the  great  American  war.  To  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  this  has  been  an  epoch  of  expansion. 

If  two  lines  be  drawn  from  Philadelphia,  one  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  state  of  Washington,  the  other  to 
the  southwest  corner  of  California,  the  space  between  will 
nearly  coincide  with  the  territory  covered  by  the  church. 
The  old  population  to  the  east,  northeast,  and  southeast  is 
of  non-German  origin,  and  no  effort  has  been  made  to  in- 
troduce United  Brethrenism  in  that  section.  The  space 
wdthin  the  angle  at  the  apex  is  where  the  Church  arose. 
Until  a  time  quite  recent,  the  movement  of  the  American 
people  has  been  almost  exclusively  westward.  Except  in 
a  very  slight  degree  the  membership  has  not  migrated  into 
Ne\v  Jersey,  New  York,  or  New  England,  and  not  in  num- 
bers sufficient  to  found  churches.  Neither  has  the  Church 
ever  been  introduced  into  the  plantation  region  of  the 
South,  although  a  reflex  wave  of  settlement  of  recent  date 
has  placed  a  few  congregations  in  that  part  of  Virginia 
east  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  But  descendants  of  the  original 
United  Brethren  have  moved  westward  very  numerously, 
and  in  doing  so  have  established  ne%v  conferences  all  the 
way  to  the  Pacific  shore. 

As  has  been  pointed  out  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  it 
was  once  the  general  opinion  among  the  Brethren  that 
preaching  could  be  done  by  men  who  made  no  preparation 
for  it  and  who  gained  their  livelihood  at  something  else. 
The  laity  Hstened,  but  did  nothing  tow^ard  the  support  of 
the  preacher  except  to  feed  him  and  his  horse  when  he 
came  around.  This  was  doing  no  more  than  they  would 
have  done  for  a  stranger.  At  length  there  w^as  a  rising 
demand  for  a  change,  and  the  time  came  when  it  had 
to  be  reckoned  wdth. 


4- 


100 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


"No  wonder  the  transition  to  a  paid  ministry  was  slow 
and  hard.  The  people  themselves  made  money  very  slow- 
ly, and  it  was  their  idea  that  if  the  preacher  had  enough  to 
eke  out  an  existance,  he  was  abundantly  supplied.  So 
the  idea  has  grown  slowly  that  the  minister  should  be  made 
comfortable  with  a  support  sutlicient  to  enable  him  to 
equip  himself  and  do  the  best  work  possible,  and  that  this 
support  is  his  of  right.  Unfortunately,  the  idea  does  not 
yet  j)revail  among  us  that  it  is  not  the  minister's  business 
to  see  after  the  collection  of  his  own  support,  and  that  it  is 
the  privilege  and  duty  of  the  laity  to  see  that  the  minister, 
who  is  the  servant  of  all,  be  given  this  support  promptly." 

As  to  how  the  church  of  to-day  compares  with  that  of 
1850,  a  correspondent  expresses  the  following  opinion, 
which  may  be  colored  by  the  pessimism  that  is  liable  to 
accompany  old  age:  "Three  log  buildings  were  owned  by 
the  Church,  wliich  elsewhere  worshiped  in  schoolhouses 
and  i)rivate  homes.  There  are  now  twelve  good  churches 
and  a  half-interest  in  four  or  live  others.  The  increase  in 
membership  is  300  to  400,  but  no  greater  than  the  increase 
in  population.  The  circuit  covered  what  is  now  embraced 
in  three  circuits,  a  part  of  another,  and  also  a  station. 
Piety  will  have  to  be  discounted  fifty  per  cent." 

The  first  church  paper  was  the  "Mountain  Messenger," 
appearing  at  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  in  1833,  and  edited  by 
W.  R.  Rhinehart.  Next  year  he  sold  out  his  equipment 
and  moved  to  Circleville,  Ohio,  where  he  began  editing  the 
"Religious  Telescope,"  the  circulation  of  which  was  about 
1200  copies.  In  1815  David  Edwards  was  conducting  the 
paper  on  a  salary  of  $350  a  year  and  his  house  rent.  He 
wrote  editorials  on  national  peace,  and  against  slavery, 
secret  orders,  liquor,  and  tobacco.  The  church  publishing 
house  begun  here  in  a  very  modest  way  in  1834,  was  moved 
twenty  years  later  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  has  since  developed 
into  one  of  the  most  complete  establishment  of  its  kind 
in  the  Union. 

A  church  paper  to  represent  the  Virginia  Conference 
was  agitated  as  early  as  1847.    By  a  vote  of  18  to  4,  it  was 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


101 


4 


<*0 


4 


resolved,  "that  this  conference,  from  the  fact  that  the 
Religious  Telescope,  our  church  paper,  is  calculated  to 
hinder,  rather  than  promote,  the  church  within  the  bounds 
of  our  conference,  in  consequence  of  its  containin<:f  abor- 
tion matters  from  time  to  time,  take  into  consideration 
the  propriety  of  publisliing  within  its  own  borders,  a 
religious  paper  for  its  own  benefit.''  The  following  year  it 
was  resolved,  *'that  we  regard  ourselves  as  havinu"  btcn 
misrepresented  in  the  columns  of  the  Telesc()j)e  during 
the  past  year."  The  evidences  cfuoted  were  the  arlicle, 
"Right  Side  Up,*'  by  the  editor,  Mr.  Kdwards.  "v/hich  we 
regard  as  saying,  sul)slanlial]y,  flial  the  wrong  side  \\as  up 
at  the  time  being;"  and  by  ''Zethar,"  concerning  "  'a  religion 
more  refined  and  less  repulsive  to  the  feelings  of  the  fasli- 
ionable,'  which,  with  its  connection,  we  regard  as  saying 
of  us  that  our  res()luti(ni  proposing  to  'consider  the 
propriety,'  etc.,  approbated  upon  our  part  the  relinemer.t 
and  fashionableness  related  to  slavery." 

These  resolutions  show,  after  all,  that  the  Virginia  mem- 
bership was  sensitive  on  the  topic  of  slavery.  That  this 
membership  was  but  a  small  part  of  the  total  membership 
of  the  church,  and  that  it  was  resident  in  a  locality  not 
thoroughly  i)ermeated  by  the  slave  labor  system,  were  the 
conditions  that  ])revented  a  schism,  comparable  to  tliat 
which  took  place  a  few  years  earlier  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church, 

"The  Conference  News"  was  finally  established  as  the 
local  organ  of  the  Virginia  Conference,  but  it  was  discon- 
tinued in  1911. 

As  to  the  i)rovince  of  a  denominational  paper,  the  pro- 
jector of  this  book  made  the  following  observations: 

"Debate  is  inherent  in  democracy.  As  the  highest  form 
of  government,  democracy  demands  the  highest  intelligence 
and  the  soundest  morality.  The  Puritan  experiment  in  gov- 
ernment provided  the  town  meeting  and  the  schoolhouse 
by  the  side  of  the  church. 

The  United  Brethren  in  theory  is  the  most  democratic 
church  in  America.     Have  we  made  the  full,  inteUigent, 


102 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


and  general  participation  of  our  people  in  church  govern- 
ment one  of  our  distinctive  characteristics?  Our  highest 
law-making  body  is  made  by  the  direct  vote  of  our  people, 
and  yet  how  few  voted  in  the  recent  election. 

The  forum  must  be  our  church  paper. 

The  General  Conference  is  one-half  ministers  (of  whom 
one-half  follow  the  leaders)  and  one-half  laymen,  few  of 
whom  have  given  thought  to  church  problems  or  taken  an 
active  part  in  legislation.  These  will  come  with  good  hearts 
but  feeling  the  need  of  more  information.  If  there  is  lack 
of  vision,  where's  the  wonder?" 

For  many  years  instrumental  music  in  church  worship 
was  held  in  great  disfavor,  and  so  late  as  1865  there  was 
a  rule  against  its  use.  Neither  were  there  any  choirs,  and 
ministers  never  thought  of  reading  their  sermons.  It  was 
about  this  time  that  that  stern  conservative.  Bishop 
Edwards,  protested  against  placing  an  organ  in  the  Sun- 
day school  at  Dayton,  Ohio.  This  prejudice  has  faded 
away,  as  has  also  the  prejudice  against  mustaches  and  long 
beards  among  the  ministers. 

So  late  as  1845  the  Church  was  taking  little  interest 
in  fronti(^r  and  foreign  missions,  the  reasons  being  thus 
summed  up  by  a  minister  who  began  preaching  about  tlie 
time  mentioned:  "A  want  of  information  concerning  the 
state  of  the  world,  and  the  little  interest  the  preachers  feel 
on  the  subject.  There  is  not  the  taste  for  reading  among 
us  there  ought  to  be.  Intelligence,  liberality,  and  virtue 
generally  go  hand  in  hand."  And  yet  foreign  missionary 
work  was  begun  in  1854,  and  in  the  home  field  still  earlier. 
There  are  now  missions  in  Japan,  China,  Africa,  the  Philip- 
pines and  Porto  Rico. 

A  mission  in  Germany  was  opened  in  1869.  As  a  peo- 
ple mainly  of  German  origin,  the  United  Brethren  woulc 
seem  eminently  suited  to  arrest  the  coming  back  of  the 
thinly  disguised  Teutonic  paganism  which  has  been  so 
])ainfully  in  evidence  since  1914.  Even  in  the  youth  of 
Otterbein,  the  German  Reformation  of  the  sixteen  centurj 
had  spent  its  force.  He  w^as  himself  aware  of  the  wave 
of  rationalism  that  was  spreading  mental  and  moral  ruin 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


103 


■4 


4 


in  its  haughty  and  self-sulhcient  march  over  Germany. 
The  established  churches  of  that  land  were  forced  into  a 
subservient  attitude  toward  the  state.  This  is  why  Spener, 
himself  a  Lutlieran,  sought  comfort  in  separation  from  the 
ruling  elements  of  life.  This  explains  why  he  and  his  fol- 
lowers sought  to  promote  inward  piety  in  the  restricted 
fellowship  of  kindred  souls. 

The  earliest  history  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  is 
Spayth's,  and  it  did  not  appear  until  1851.  It  has  been 
followed  by  several  others,  and  by  many  volumes  on  bio- 
graphy and  reminiscence. 

A  church  paper  to  represent  the  narrowing  German- 
speaking  element  was  started  in  Baltimore  in  1841.  The 
General  Sunday  School  Board  appeared  in  1865,  the  Board 
of  Education  and  the  Church  Erection  Society  in  1869,  and 
the  Woman's  Missionary  Association  in  1875. 

The  most  momentous  changes  took  place  in  the  quad- 
rennium,   1885-9.     A  revised   Confession   of  Faith  and   a 
new  Constitution  were  drawn  up  in  1885,  and  voted  upon 
bv  tlic  Church  in  November,  1889.    Lay  representation  now 
took  ell'ect  and  the  rule  as  to  secret  orders  was  modilied. 
The  time  limit  was  removed  in  1893.    The  vote  in  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  in  favor  of  the  changes  was  110  to  20. 
It  produced  the  first  and  only  schism  that  has  yet  appeared 
among  the  United  Brethren.     Of  the  20  members  voting 
in  the  negative,  14  withdrew  from  the  Conference.    Among 
them  was  Bishop  Wright.     They  and  their  followers  be- 
lieved with  entire  sincerity  that  they  could  not  see  their 
way  to  an  acceptance  of  what  they  held  to  be  a  serious 
departure  from  the  old  standards.     This  wing  claimed  to 
be   the   real   United   Brethren    Church,   and   the   litigation 
which  ensued  was  not  finally  settled  until  1895.     The  Old 
Constitution  wing  of  the  United  Brethren  is  an  entirely 
separate  church  organization,  but  has  no  distinct  official 
name.     In  adhering  to  the  Constitution  and  Confession  of 
Faith   as   observed   by   the   whole   denomination   prior   to 
1885,  the  Old  Constitution  wing  adheres  to  the  ban  against 
secret   orders.     Some   differences   in   church   government 


104 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


105 


and  manai^ement  have  arisen  in  the  past  thirty  years,  and 
a  careful  conservatism  marks  this  branch  in  financial  and 
other  matters.  The  Old  Constitution  United  Brethren  are 
particularly  stroni,^  in  the  West,  yet  have  a  membership  of 
1500  to  2000  within  the  Hmits  of  the  Virginia  Conference, 
groui)ed  in  the  Augusta  circuit  and  the  Highland  and  North 
Fork  missions.  The  number  of  preaching  places  is  about 
20.  This  church  has  a  college  and  i)ublishing  house  at 
Huntington,  Indiana,  and  from  the  latter  issues  a  church 
paper,  ''The  Christian  Conservator.'' 

With  the  one  exception  of  the  Disciples  of  Christ,  the 
Church  founded  by  Otterbein  and  Boehm  is  the  largest  of 
the  American-born  branches  of  Protestantism.  It  has 
steadily  attracted  to  its  fold  persons  of  other  than  German 
descent,  and  that  element  in  its  membership  is  not  incon- 
siderable in  point  of  number  and  intluence.  The  fathers 
of  organization  were  averse  to  founding  a  new  church,  and 
for  a  whik'  the  United  Brethren  were  quite  favorable  to  a 
union  with  kindred  denominations.  This  feeling  is  now 
much  less  in  evidence  owing  to  a  growth  in  denominational 
pride. 

The  United  Brethren  Church  no  longer  bears  a  distinct 
impress  of  foreignism.  In  this  particular,  not  even  the 
divorce  from  the  German  language  is  so  significant  as  its 
refusal  to  espouse  non-resistance  as  an  article  in  its  creed. 
An  overwhelming  majority  of  the  American  people  detest 
war  as  much  as  do  the  Quakers  juid  Mennonites.  But  they 
l)elieve  that  when  war  is  thrust  upon  a  people,  it  is  as  much 
the  duty  of  that  people  to  take  up  arms  as  it  is  the  duty  of 
the  ])rivate  citizen  to  resist  the  outlaw  who  wantonly  assails 
him.  They  note  an  inconsistency  in  the  man  who  pays  war 
taxes  or  buys  bonds  for  war  purposes,  yet  is  unwilling 
to  enroll  as  a  soldier. 

There  is  a  broad  distinction  between  the  Germans  of 
the  Germany  of  to-day  and  the  German  emigrants  to 
America  in  the  eighteenth  century.  The  former  have  been 
hypnotized  and  indoctrinated  by  their  autocratic  leaders 
into  an  imi)licit  belief  that  their  national  welfare  rests  on 


-t^  r 


ruthless  force  and  wholesale  plunder.  Genuine  Christian- 
ity had  no  place  in  the  program  marked  out  by  these  lead- 
ers. On  the  other  hand,  the  Germans  who  came  to  America 
in  the  half-century  1725-75,  w^ere  essentially  a  religious  and 
democratic  people.  Many  of  them  were  pacifists.  All  the 
non-resistant  denominations  in  America,  not  excepting 
even  the  Quakers,  are  directly  or  indirectly  of  German 
origin.  But  the  non-resistant  sect  becomes  in  some  meas- 
ure  a  cave  of  Adullam  for  the  slacker  in  civic  duty.  In 
pacifist  churches  of  a  German  origin  may  be  found  con- 
gregations almost  wholly  of  non-German  blood,  the  in- 
fluence leading  them  here  being  an  easy  way  to  shirk  mili- 
tarv  service. 

The  Moravians  hold  non-resistant  principles,  and  their 
missionaries  were  able  to  persuade  many  a  war-party  of 
Indians  to  turn  back.  Yet  they  cheerfully  paid  taxes  for 
the  cause  of  American  independence,  and  when  their  town 
of  Bethlehem  was  in  danger  of  attack,  they  fortified  and 
])rovisioned  it,  and  armed  themselves.  In  the  same  war 
Quakers  and  Mennonites  furnished  money  and  provisions, 
and  manv  of  them  became  soldiers.  In  that  conflict  the 
greatest  American  general  except  Washington  was  a  son 
of  Quaker  parents. 


I 


CHAPTER  XIV 

MOVEMENTS  TOWARD  UNION  WITH  OTHER 

CHURCHES 

The  points  of  resemblance  between  the  United  Breth- 
ren and  the  Methodists  have  often  been  a  snbject  of  com- 
ment. In  theoloi>ical  behef  there  is  complete  accord.  Each 
body  has  a  record  as  a  revival  church  and  has  made  much 
use  of  camp  meetings.  Each  uses  almost  precisely  the 
same  terms  throughout  in  designating  the  various  features 
of  its  organization.  Each  has  its  conferences,  its  quarterly 
meetings,  and  its  class  meetings.  Each  has  its  bishops, 
presiding  elders,  local  preachers,  and  exhorters.  Each  has 
its  stations  and  circuits.  Each  has  a  well  developed  itiner- 
ant system. 

But  the  resemblance  is  almost  wholly  a  matter  of  coin- 
cidence. Neither  church  is  an  otl'shoot  of  the  other. 
Identity  in  purpose  and  methods  has  led  to  a  very  close 
identity  in  organization. 

The  church  of  the  United  Brethren  may  very  truly  be 
said  to  begin  in  that  sermon  by  Otterbein  at  Lancaster 
which  marks  the  turning-point  in  the  character  of  his 
ministry.  We  do  not  know  the  precise  year,  but  1755  is  an 
approximate  date.  Boehm  began  to  preach  in  1758.  At 
the  memorable  meeting  in  Long's  barn,  about  1768,  the 
movement  began  to  assume  tangible  form.  The  confer- 
ences of  1781),  1891,  and  1800  were  a  recognition  of  a  state 
of  things  already  existing.  The  new  church  was  in  opera- 
tion, even  if  there  were  not  yet  an  oihcial  name  or  more 
than  an  informal  organization. 

The  Wesleyan  movement  arose  in  England,  and  was 
introduced  into  American  by  Strawbridge,  a  local  i)reacher 
who  settled  in  the  north  of  Maryland  about  1765.  The 
hrst  Methodist  class  was  formed  in  the  city  of  New  York 
by  Philip  Embury  and  Barbara  Heck  in  1766.  Both  these 
persons,  by  the  way,  were  of  German  parentage.     In  1771^ 


4 


I 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


107 


the  first  conference  represented  only  six  circuits  and  fewer 
than  1200  members.  As  an  independent  church.  Method 
ism  in  America  began  on  Christmas  day,  1784,  with  about 
15,000  members,  nearly  nine-tenths  of  them  living  in  the 
South.  Thus  the  area  in  which  the  two  churches  appeared 
was  nearly  the  same,  the  Methodist  territory  being  the 
more  extensive. 

Had  Otterbein  and  Boehm  used  the  Enghsh  tongue  ex- 
clusively, the  founders  of  the  United  Brethren  movement 
and  the  founders  of  American  Methodism  would  have  been 
drawn  irresistibly  together  to  work  in  a  single  organiza- 
tion. It  was  a  Methodist  bishop  who  said  that  if  the  mes- 
sage of  Otterbein  had  been  in  English  instead  of  German, 
he  would  have  been  the  logical  leader  of  the  g(  neral 
evangelical  movement  in  this  '^country.  But  Otterbein, 
Boehm,  and  Geeting  i)reached  exclusively  in  (ierman,  and 
therefore  to  people  of  German  birth  or  i)arentage.  The 
early  Methodists  knew  nothing  of  German,  and  i)reached 
in  English  to  people  who  understood  English,  this  class 
then  including  only  a  small  proportion  of  the  German 
element.  There  was  consequently  little  overlapping  of 
effort,  and  little  ground  for  jealousy  or  rivalry.  The  dif- 
ference between  the  two  sects  was  little  else  than  a  differ- 
ence in  language,  and  incidentally  in  national  origin.  Each 
addressed  the  audience  it  was  best  fitted  to  address,  and 
left  to  the  sister  organization  the  duty  of  looking  after 
other  people.  That  the  United  Brethren  and  the  Methodist 
churches  should  spring  up  side  by  side  was  therefore  the 
most  natural  thing  in  the  world. 

As  there  is  a  striking  similarity  between  these  two 
bodies,  so  is  there  a  striking  correspondence  between  Wil- 
liam Otterbein  and  John  Wesley.  p:ach  man  was  a  thor- 
oughly educated  scholar.  Each  grew  up  in  the  communion 
of  a  strong  ecclesiastical  system,  to  which  his  attachment 
was  strong.  Nevertheless,  the  time  came  when  Otterbein 
could  no  longer  work  within  the  Reformed  Church  nor 
W\^sley  within  the  Church  of  England.  Like  Otterbein, 
Wesley  began  preaching  before  he  was  an  entirely  con- 


II 


I 


108  UNITED   BRETHREN 

verted  man.  The  religious  destiny  of  Otterbein  was  deter- 
mined by  the  small  evangelical  society  of  the  Pietists,  just 
as  that  of  Wesley  was  determined  by  the  small  evangelical 
sect  of  the  Moravians.  Each  man  discarded  the  exclusive 
use  of  churchlv  robes  and  a  churchly  i)ulpit,  and  went  out 
to  preach  extemporaneously  wherever  he  could  gather  an 
audience.  The  message  of  each  was  to  the  common  people, 
and  the  common  people  heard  them.  Each  was  persecuted 
by  churchmen  as  well  as  by  the  rabble,  and  each  rose  above 
these  liindrances.  Neither  Otterbein  nor  Wesley  had  any 
desire  to  found  a  new  church.  Each  tried  to  leaven  the 
church  in  which  he  had  been  reared,  and  it  was  only  when 
the  opposition  within  that  church  could  not  be  overcome 
that  he  gave  his  consent  to  the  necessary  measure  of  set- 
tino  up  a  new  one.  Even  then,  Otterbein  never  formally 
or  of  his  own  accord  withdrew  from  the  Reformed  Church, 
nor  did  Wesley  sever  his  connection  with  the  Church  ol 
England. 

Hut  though  the  broken  English  of  the  early  United 
Brethren  gave  the  earlv  Methodists  some  trouble  in  carry- 
ing on  a  conversation,  each  band  of  Christians  recognized 
from  the  first  that  the  other  was  made  up  of  fellow  laborers 
in  an  identical  cause.  The  diiference  in  language  in  fact 
made  for  friendship  by  removing  a  ground  for  one  sect 
to  interfere  with  what  the  other  was  doing.  In  a  period 
of  denominational  narrowness  and  prejudice,  it  is  there- 
fore pleasant  to  note  the  exceptionally  cordial  relations 
between  the  United  Brethren  and  the  Methodists  during  the 
formative  period  in  the  history  of  each. 

Between  Otterbein,  the  senior  founder  of  the  United 
Brethren,  and  Asbury.  the  pioneer  Methodist  bishop,  there 
was  an  attachment  that  was  intimate  and  affectionate.  The 
latter  considered  the  former  to  be  the  foremost  theologian 
in  America.  Asbury  was  instrumental  in  causing  Otter- 
bein to  go  to  Baltimore.  Otterbein  assisted  in  the  ordina- 
tion of  Asbury,  and  at  the  special  request  of  the  latter.  It 
was  Asbury  who  preached  the  sermon  at  the  funeral  of 
Otterbein.    And  as  we  might  suppose,  Otterbein  had  a  high 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


109 


opinion  of  Wesley  and  the  Methodists. 

A  union  of  the  two  churches  was  thought  of  at  an  early 
day.  But  until  the  close  of  1784,  the  Methodists  were  a 
society  within  the  Church  of  England.  To  the  fathers  of 
the  United  Brethren  this  was  an  obstacle.  Another  objec- 
tion was  the  adherence  of  the  early  Methodists  to  the  doc- 
trine of  apostolic  succession.  They  held  that  it  was  wrong 
for  any  preacher  to  presume  to  administer  the  sacraments 
unless  he  had  been  regularly  ordained  by  a  bishop  of  the 
established  church,  and  the  doctrine  assumes  that  there 
has  been  an  unbroken  line  of  ordination  ever  since  the 
days  of  the  apostles.  Both  objections  came  to  lose  all  their 
force  in  consequence  of  the  great  unlikeness  which  has 
developed  between  the  Methodist  Church  and  the  Church 
of  England. 

A  friendly  correspondence  looking  toward  union  was 
begun  by  the  Methodist  conference  of  1809,  held  in  Har- 
risonburg. This  is  spoken  of  in  our  extracts  from  New- 
comer's Journal.  A  close  cooperation  with  the  Methodists 
was  given  much  attention  in  the  United  Brethren  confer- 
ences of  1809  and  1810.  By  an  agreement  of  1812,  any 
meeting-house  of  either  church  was  open  to  the  other  when 
the  church  in  possession  was  not  using  it.  Members  of 
either  church  were  freelv  admitted  to  the  class-meetings, 
prayer  meetings,  and  love-feasts  of  the  other.  German 
converts  usually  went  into  the  United  Brethren  Church 
and  English-speaking  converts  into  the  Methodist.  In  181.*^ 
an  address  signed  by  Asbury  was  received  from  the  Metho- 
dist conference,  and  a  reply  was  ordered  so  as  "more  and 
more  to  effect  a  union  between  the  two  churches."  In 
1814  a  letter  from  the  Baltimore  Conference  of  the  Metho- 
dists expressed  its  gratification  at  the  friendly  relations 
with  the  United  Brethren,  and  hoped  these  relations  might 
continue. 

But  organic  union  does  not  seem  to  have  been  strongly 
favored  on  either  side.  By  the  word  "union"  in  the  United 
Brethren  letter  of  1813  was  meant  no  more  than  friendly 
<!Ooperation.     Asbury  was  a  very  efficient  superintendent. 


li 


no  UNITED   BRETHREN 

but  did  not  bring  Methodism  into  direct  touch  ^vith  those 
inhabitants    of    America    who    did    not    speak    Enghsh. 
America  was  not  then  a  polx-lot  country.     German  was 
the  only  other  toni^ue  spoken  by  any  considerable  number 
of  white  Americans.     Even  in  that  day  the  stubbornness 
^vith  which  the  German   element   chm-    to   the    German 
speech  was  deemed  unreasonable  and  anti-American.    And 
on  the  side  of  the  United  Brethren  it  may  have  been  f e  t 
that  in  consecpience  of  the  temperamental  and  other  dit- 
ferences  between  these  two  .groups  of  Christians,  it  mii^ht 
be  better  if  each  were  to  retain  its  separate  ori^amzation. 
Rut  this  failure  to  unite  did  not  lead  to  a  sunderino-  ot 
fraternal  relations.     Methodist  ministers  often  visited  the 
conferences  of  the  United  Brethren,  and  United  Brethren 
ministers  often  visited  the  conferences  of  the  Methodists. 
During   the   war  for  American   Independence    the   Metho- 
dists began  to  grow  rapidly,  and  it  was  then  that  Methcxhst 
preachers  began  to  appear  in  the  German  settlements  of 
Marvland    and    its    neighboring    states.      These    'Tnaiish 
brethren,"  as  thev  were  styled,  were  gladly  received.    Even 
the  wife  of  Bishop  Boehm  joined  the  Methodists  and  so 

did  some  of  her  sons. 

Asbury  died  in  1810.  A  Methodist  presiding  elder,  in 
an  excess  of  denominational  zeal  suspended  the  working 
arrangement  with  the  United  Brethren,  and  insisted  that 
Wesley's  rules  be  strictly  followed.  One  of  these  rules 
prescribed  who  should  and  who  should  not  be  admitted  to 
social  meetings.  It  had  been  necessary  in  England,  because 
such  meetings,  if  open,  were  subject  to  interruption  l)y 
gangs  of  outlaws.  In  the  America  of  1810  no  such  caution 
was  necessary  and  the  rule  soon  became  a  dead  letter. 
For  a  while,  the  social  meetings  of  the  Methodists  were 
closed  against  the  United  Brethren.  It  is  unfortunate  that 
this  reactionary  policy  arose,  yet  it  has  long  since  passed 

away. 

In  the  matter  of  church  government,  there  is  a  differ- 
ence between  the  United  Brethren  and  the  Methodists. 
The  former  regard  their  system  as  the  more  democratic, 
and  prefer  it  to  the  more  centrally  organized  system  of 


W 


i' 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


111 


f 


the  other  church.  Their  bishop  is  chosen  for  a  term  and 
not  for  life;  their  presiding  elders  are  chosen  annually; 
their  congregations  have  more  control  over  their  local  con- 
cerns. They  regard  Methodism  as  autocratic,  and  yet  the 
general  efficiency  of  this  feature  has  contributed  very 
largely  to  the  phenominal  growth  of  the  sister  church. 

The  United  Brethren  have  lost  the  characteristics  that 
for  several  decades  marked  them  out  as  one  of  the  Ger- 
man sects  of  America.  Their  very  origin  as  a  German  sect 
is  now  almost  lost  to  view.  But  though  the  points  of 
difference  which  once  stood  in  the  way  of  an  organic  union 
w  ith  the  Methodists  have  been  removed,  no  action  looking 
toward  a  merger  has  since  taken  place.  But  in  recognition 
of  the  fact  that  in  spirit  and  polity  the  United  Brethren  are 
of  the  Methodist  group  of  churches,  they  were  invited  to 
send  delegates  to  the  Methodist  ecumenical  conferences 
of  1881  and  1891.  For  a  rather  technical  reason  Bishop 
Glossbrenner  saw  fit  to  oppose  an  acceptance. 

About  the  year  1800,  the  Albright  Brethren,  a  German 
speaking  body  of  Methodists,  seceded  from  the  parent 
denomination.  In  1813  they  had  fifteen  itinerants  and 
about  eight  hundred  members.  In  April  of  this  year  Bishop 
Newcomer  visited  the  Albright  conference  and  received 
a  letter  to  be  given  the  United  Brethren  conference  of  the 
same  year.  The  latter  assembly  appointed  a  committee 
of  four,  w^hich  met  an  Albright  committee  of  the  same  size 
at  New  Berlin,  Pennsylvania.  A  discussion  of  several  days 
did  not  reach  any  conclusion.  The  Albright  General  Con- 
ference of  1810  adopted  the  name  of  Evangehcal  Associa- 
tion for  their  sect,  and  discussed  the  proposed  union.  A 
committee  of  six  persons  from  each  church  conferred  in 
1817  at  the  home  of  Henry  Kumler,  but  failed  to  come  to 
any  understanding,  and  no  further  negotiations  appear  to 
have  been  attempted.  The  Evangelicals  thought  the  work- 
ins  of  the  United  Brethren  itinerancy  was  too  lose. 

The  proposed  merging  of  the  United  Brethren  with  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterians,  the  Methodist  Protestants,  and 
the  Congregationalists,  is  a  matter  of  ver>^  recent  history. 


r 


112 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


That  a  union  with  the  last  named  body  did  not  take  place 
is  \er>^  easy  to  understand.  The  two  denominations  have 
overlapped  only  in  a  very  sHght  degree,  and  have  been  very 
little  acquainted  with  one  another.  There  is  a  wide  tem- 
peramental difference  in  the  membership  of  the  two 
churches.  Among  the  Congregationahsts  each  local  body 
is  entirely  independent  of  any  other  and  in  church  govern- 
ment is  strictlv  democratic.  There  is  much  more  in  com- 
mon  between  the  United  Brethren  and  the  two  other 
denominations.  That  any  merger  failed  even  here  is  per- 
haps due  to  the  denominational  pride  that  makes  any  form 
or  degree  of  church  unity  very  difficult  to  achieve  in  prac- 
tice, although  in  theory  it  may  be  warmly  advocated. 


I 


CllARTKl^  XV 


i 


CONCKPvXlXC;    SLAVI'.RY   AND    INTOXICANTS 

Slavery  cxisled  in  aU  the  colonies  when  tlie  United 
Bretliren  Church  was  in  course  of  formation.  In  Pennsyl- 
vania the  institution  never  liad  more  tiian  a  slight  liold, 
and  after  American  independence  came  was  soon  abolished. 
Tlic  Western  Stales,  into  wliicli  the  church  spread,  wvvv 
free  territory  by  virtue  of  tlie  famous  Orciinance  ot"  1 7S7. 
Maryland,  Virginia,  and  Tennessee  were  slave  states  until 
after  tlu^  war  of  1H()1  had  begun.  Therefore,  the  grounci 
covered  bv  our  cluu'ch  was,  until  the  last-named  c^vent, 
partly  free  and  partly  slave. 

Yet  from  the  lirst  tlie  sentiment  of  the  church  was  dis- 
tinctly against  the  institution  of  slavery.  This  was  partly 
because  the  (uM'mans  of  America  were  very  generally 
averse  to  holding  slaves.  It  was  partly  becaust^  some  of 
their  sects  had  religious  scru|)les  that  stood  in  the  way. 
Hut  fundamentally  the  objection  of  these  people  to  slavery 
had  an  economic  source.  The  United  Brethren  were 
not  gcMierallv  large  land  owners  but  small  farmers.  Such 
men  had  no  place  for  slavery.  Without  excei)tion,  all  the 
counties  in  which  our  church  arose  were  overwhelmingly 
wiiite  in  j)opulatien,  and  c()nse(|uently  the  actual  number 
of  slaveholders  in  tlu>m  was  very  small. 

The  (ieneral  Conference  of  1817  was  held  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  adopted  a  rule  on  slavery  which  is  stated  in  very 
explicit  and  energetic  language.  It  resolved  that  ''all 
slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  be  totally  prohibited 
and  in  no  way  tolerated  in  our  comnuuiity."  Members 
of  the  church  who  were  holding  slaves  at  the  time  were 
required  to  set  them  free,  or  to  ask  the  ([uarterly  confer- 
ence to  determine  how  long  a  slave  might  be  held  in  order 
that  tlie  owner  might  thus  be  compensated  ])y  labor  for 
his  purclias(^-nioney,  or  the  cost  of  raising  the  negro.     And 


Ill 


UNITED  BHETH1U:X 


i 


in  no  case  should  a  iiunibcr  sell  a  slave.  A  repriinaiul 
was  to  follow  any  violation  of  this  rule,  and  if  the  reprimand 
were  not  observed,  expulsion  was  to  follow.  It  is  to  he 
noted  that  this  rule  was  adopted  just  after  the  enaetnienl 
of  the  Missouri  Compromise,  and  therefore  at  a  lime  when 
the    line    between    free    and    slave    territory    was    sharj)ly 

drawn. 

The  rule  of  1817  remained  in  force  and  was  closely 
observed.  It  was  enforced  by  Bishop  (dossbrenner  a^^ainst 
his  own  father-in-law.  Some  persons  thought  the  rule 
should  not  have  been  so  drastic,  and  in  certain  circum- 
stances, as  when  slave  property  was  inherited,  it  worked 
some  hardship.  There  was,  indeed,  in  the  Virginia  Con- 
ference an  element  that  disapproved  of  the  rule  on  slavery 
as  well  as  on  secret  societies.  Nevertheless,  the  position 
taken  bv  the  leaders  of  the  church  was  so  well  sustained 
that  there  was  no  schism,  such  as  occurred  in  the  Methodist 
l\pisco])al  Church. 

When  the  United  Hrethren  Church  was  taken  root  in 
the  Valley  of  Virginia,  slavery  had  relatively  a  much 
weaker  hold  in  that  district  than  in  18()().  And  as  white 
labor  was  there  still  general  at  the  latter  date,  the  church 
was  able  to  hold  its  ground.  Hut  the  slave  power  was 
politically  dominant  throughout  the  South,  and  any  sect 
hokling  a  pronounced  anti-slavery  attitude  was  certain  to 
be  under  susi)icion  as  an  ally  of  the  abolition  sentiment  in 
the  North.  Thus,  until  18()0,  the  United  Hrethren  were 
never  able  to  spread  much  beyond  that  area  in  Virginia 
which  was  covered  by  them  in  1800.  Nowhere  else  in  the 
South  did  thev  gain  a  foothold,  save  in  the  valley  of  East 
Tennessee.  Now  that  slavery  is  gone,  there  is  outwardly 
no  reason  whv  the  United  Hrethren  should  not  win  new 
territorv^  in  the  South.  Yet  their  lack  of  harmony  with 
the  prevailing  sentiment  of  the  South  continues  to  render 
that  section  :  closed  field.  The  chuMi  has  been  shut  out 
of  the  South  l)y  its  stand  on  slavery,  and  out  of  the  cities 
by  its  stand  on  secret  fraternities. 

"Forty  years  before  the  civil  war  the  General  Confer- 
ence made  slavery^  a  test  of  mc^mbership.     No  man  who 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


115 


i 


i 
\ 


owned  slaves  and  would  not  arrange  to  free  them,  could 
remain  a  member  of  the  church.     This  rule  was  never 
modified,  but  its  enforcement  was  the  more  demanded  as 
the  abolition  sentiment  in  the  country  grew  in  force  and 
intensity.     This,   of   course,   kept   the   church   out   of   the 
South,  except  in  the  north  of  Virginia,  where  the  church 
had  been  carried  by  the  German  settlers  before  the  ques- 
tion of  slavery  attracted  pubhc  attention.     The  Germans 
worked  with  their  hands,  and  did  not  own    or    employ 
slaves,  except  in  rare  cases  where  a  house  woman  or  a 
farm  hand  was  owned  as  the  most  available  way  of  securing 
needed  help  in  a  community  wdiere  slave  labor  was  the 
rule.    This  was  winked  at  only  during  the  civil  war,  when 
other   labor    could    not    be    had.     Otherwise,    it    was    not 
tolerated.    Christian  Shuey,  who  gave  the  land  and  assisted 
largely  in  building  Bethlehem  church  near  Swoope  Depot, 
was  a  small  slave  ow^ner.     Although  he  w^as  reared  in  a 
home  where  the  fathers  preached,  and  although  he  was  the 
class  leader  and  mainstay  of  his  congregation,  his  son  and 
his  son-in-law  enforced  the  church  law^  against  him,  and 
expelled  him  from  membership  in  his  own  church.    How- 
ever, the  question  of  character  w^as  not  involved  in   this 
violation  of  church  law,  for  Christian  Shuey  remained  loyal 
to  his  church  and  was  its  standby  until  his  death.    He  con- 
tinued to  be  the  leader  of  the  class  from  which  he  w^as 
technically  expelled." 

In  the  matter  of  intoxicants  the  position  taken  by  the 
United  Brethren  from  the  first  is  highly  creditable.  The 
German  settlers  of  the  eighteenth  century  w^ere  a  temperate 
people.  They  did  not  have  the  beer-loving  propensity  of 
the  modern  German,  a  habit  which  has  made  that  element 
in  America  a  laggard  in  the  march  of  prohibition.  Again, 
the  United  Brethren  put  themselves  on  record  at  a  time 
when  the  drinking  habit  lacked  little  of  being  universal 
in  this  country. 

It  is  often  asserted  that  in  the  "good  old  days"  liquor 
was  purer  than  it  is  now%  and  that  although  drinking  was 
prevalent,  intoxication  was  rare.    The  statement  is  echoed 


116 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


117 


time  after  time,  as  thougli  its  truth  were  unquestionable. 
And  yet  its  only  foundation  is  a  mirage;  an  illusion  of 
human  nature  that  is  very  aptly  expressed  in  the  following 

couplet: 

Tis  distance  lends  enchantment  to  the  view, 
And  robes  the  mountains  in  their  azure  hue. 

The  onlv  solid  fact  in  the  statement  mentioned  is  that 
in  those  "good  old  days,"— about  which,  by  the  way,  there 
is  so  much  of  humbug — the  intoxicating  element  in  liquor 
was  generally  alcohol,  and  not  so  much  as  now,  a  com- 
pound of  corrosive  chemicals.  Alcohol  is  alcohol,  the 
world  over,  and  its  effects  on  the  human  system  are  but 
slightly  influenced  by  climate  or  race.  Instead  of  actual 
drunkenness  being  less  frequent  than  now,  it  was  more 
frequent.  The  authority  for  this  assertion  is  abundant 
and  uninii)eachable.  Washington  said  in  1789  that  drink 
was  the  ruin  of  half  the  workmen  in  America.  An  eminent 
French  visitor  of  the  same  period  said  that  the  most  com- 
mon vice  of  the  inferior  class  of  the  American  people  was 
drunkenness.  The  Continental  Congress  of  1777  passed  a 
resolution  that  the  state  legislatures  should  at  once  pass 
laws  ''the  most  effectual  for  putting  a  stop  to  the  pernicious 
practice  of  distilling  grain."  But  this  resolution  was  too 
far  in  advance  of  the  public  sentiment  of  the  day  and  was 
laid  on  the  table. 

In  our  time  it  requires  no  high  degree  of  courage  to 
denounce  the  rum  trade,  for  the  simple  reason  that  the 
business  is  now  under  the  ban  of  the  best  pubhc  opinion. 
But  a  century  ago  the  trafTic  was  so  strongly  entrenched 
in  the  social  customs  of  even  the  best  classes  of  society 
that  the  person  presuming  to  antagonize  it  was  called  a 
visionary  or  a  fanatic. 

The  decanter  was  then  in  almost  every  home.  Tem- 
perance sermons  were  not  preached,  neither  were  there 
any  temperance  societies.  High  church  officials  drank  to 
intoxicaton.  Drinking  was  carried  on  at  marriages,  births, 
and  burials.  When  a  doctor  visited  a  patient  he  was  offered 
a  dram.     Speaking  in  1820,  a  pastor  in  the  city  of  New 


York  said  it  was  diilicult  to  make  pastoral  visits  for  a  day 
without  becoming  intoxicated.  Dr.  Daniel  Dorchester 
(juotes  a  minister  of  that  period  as  saying  he  could  count 
up  among  his  acquaintances  forty  ministers  who  were 
drunkards,  or  who  were  so  far  addicted  to  the  use  of 
drink  that  their  usefulness  was  impaired.  Coming  nearer  . 
home,  all  but  one  of  the  eight  deacons  of  a  certain  church 
were  in  1839  actively  engaged  in  distilling  whiskey.  And 
this  was  within  the  present  bounds  of  the  Virginia  Con- 
ference. 

And  yet  we  find  the  United  Brethren  Conference  rul- 
ing,—as  early  as  1814,— that  ''every  member  shall  abstain 
from  strong  drink,  and  use  it  only  on  necessity  as  medi- 
cine." Seven  years  later,  the  General  Conference  ruled 
that  "neither  preacher  nor  lay  member  shall  be  allowed 
to  carry  on  a  distillery."  Outside  of  our  church  there  is 
in  American  historv  no  ecclesiastical  action  on  record  of 
earlier  date  than  1811.  The  one  of  1811  took  place  in 
New  England,  and  exerted  very  little  influence  outside. 
It  was  not  until  182(),  when  the  American  Temperance 
Society  was  organized,  that  the  evangelical  churches  of  the 
United  States  put  themselves  on  record  as  oi)ponents  of 
the  liquor  trade.  In  1841  came  the  adoption  by  the  United 
Brethren  of  the  rule  which  declares  that  "the  distilling, 
vending,  and  use  of  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage  shall  be 
and  is  hereby  forbidden  throughout  our  society."  The 
Church  thus  became  a  total  abstinence  society,  and  such 
it  has  ever  since  remained. 

Nevertheless,  the  early  restrictive  legislation  was  not 
always  heeded.  The  conference  of  1831  took  this  action 
concerning  one  of  its  members:  "Resolved,  if  Conrad 
Weast  don't  quit  making  liquor  and  preach  more,  he  shall 
have  his  license  demanded."  Evidently  this  remedy  was 
not  effective,  for  six  years  later  it  is  ordered  that  "it  be 
published  in  the  Telescope  that  Conrad  Weast  is  no  longer 
a  preacher  among  us." 

As  in  the  case  of  alcohol,  the  use  of  tobacco  is  no  more 
nor  less  than  a  phase  of  the  drug  habit.     In  this  matter 


118 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


I 


the  United  Brethren  early  took  advanced  ground,  notwith- 
standing the  fact  that  this  denomination  arose  in  a  tobacco- 
growing  region,  and  hkewise  where  the  tobacco  habit  has 
always  been  very  prevalent.  The  objection  raised  within 
the  Church  is  that  the  habit  is  unhealthful,  unsanitary, 
unnecessary,  an  offense  to  neatness,  and  particularly  un- 
becoming in  a  minister. 

In  1867  this  resolution  was  adopted:  "That  the  minis- 
ters of  the  Virginia  Conference  be  advised  to  discontinue 
the  habit  of  using  tobacco  in  all  its  forms."  Since  then 
tobacco  has  repeatedly  been  denounced  on  the  floor  of 
conference.  At  the  present  time  it  is  tacitly  understood 
that  applicants  for  admission  to  that  body  are  expected 
to  be  abstainers  from  the  weed,  and  that  persistence  in 
the  habit  by  the  older  members  operates  as  a  bar  to  their 
advancement  to  high  position. 


li 


h 


CHAPTER  XVI 

CONCERNING  SECRET  SOCIETIES 

In  the  centur%'  in  which  wc  live,  secret  fraternities  are  • 
numerous.  In  the  early  years  of  the  United  Brethren 
church  there  were  very  few  of  them.  The  Masonic  order 
was  vastly  more  conspicuous  than  any  other.  As  new 
societies  arose,  they  were  regarded  as  directly  or  mdn-ectly 
the  oftspring  of  the  Masonic  by  those  persons  who  were 
opposed  to  secret  societies  in  general. 

Otterbein  and  Bochm  were  in  agreement  with  Wesley 
in  holding  secret  fraternities  in  much  disfavor.  As  a  class, 
the  Germans  in  America  were  very  hostile  to  Freemasonry. 
It  thus  followed  that  for  several  decades  there  was  very- 
general  opposition  to  secret  orders  within  the  Lmtcd 
Brethren  church. 

It  was  held  that  if  there  is  anything  good  in  secrecy, 
the  public  need  not  be  kept  in  ignorance;  and  that  if  there 
is  anything  bad  in  it,  the  bad  ought  not  to  be  shielded  by 
an  oath-bound  veil.    The  claims  of  Masonry  --bought 
to  be  anti-Christian  and  of  no  divine  origin.    To  the  Men- 
nonite  element  the  Masonic  oaths  were  an  offense.    It  xxas 
held  to  be  sinful  for  the  initiate  to  swear  to  obey  a  code 
of  laws  he  was  not  acquainted  with      As  to  tbe  prcnmse 
made  to  the  person  about  to  enter  the  order.-that  there 
is  nothing  in  its  oaths  to  do  violence  to  his  duties    o  him- 
self, his  country,  and  his  God.-it  was  held  that  this  was 
a   mere   man-made  opinion   and   not   necessarily   coi-rect 
And  the  admission  by  the  Masons  that  the  name  of  Jesus 
may  not  be  used  in  their  services  was  viewed  as  a  stumb- 
ling-block that  could  not  be  surmounted. 

"in  18'^(>  one  William  Morgan,  a  man  residing  m  the 
west  of  New  York,   was  known   to  be   on   the   point   o 
publishing  a  book  that  purported  to  be  an   exposure  ot 
F  oemasonrv.     He  was  abducted  and  never  again   heard 
of     What  became  of  him  is  still  a  secret  to  the  world  at 


f 


120 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


large,  but  the  opponents  oF  the  order  were  convinced  that 
Morgan  was  put  out  of  the  way  and  his  body  sunk  in 
Lake  Erie.  There  was  great  excitement  over  the  matter 
throughout  the  United  States.  A  new  poHtical  party  was 
formed, — the  Anti-Masonic, — and  in  one  presidential  elec- 
tion, it  carried  the  state  of  Vermont. 

Within  the  United  Brethren  Church  the  opposition  to 
Masonry  did  not  begin  with  the  Morgan  affair.  Several 
months  earlier  the  Miami  Conference  resolved  by  a  unani- 
mous vote  that  it  would  bear  with  those  of  its  brethren 
who  had  already  joined  the  Masons,  so  long  as  they  did 
not  attend  Masonic  lodges;  but  that  if  any  member  sub- 
sequently joined  the  order  he  should  be  expelled.  Three 
years  later,  the  General  Conference  resolved  by  a  unani- 
mous vote  that  "in  no  way  or  manner  shall  Freemasonry 
be  approved  or  tolerated  in  our  church,"  and  that  *'if  any 
member  join  the  Freemasons,  such  member,  by  such  an 
act,  excludes  himself  from  membership  in  our  church." 

M  this  time  the  grounds  of  the  opposition  against  the 
Masons  were  substantially  the  same  as  the  following  digest 
of  the  charges  formulated  bv  a  convention  of  men  who 
had  withdrawn  from  the  fraternity. 

These  men  declared  that  Masonry  assumes  to  exercise 
a  jurisdiction  over  the  citizens  of  anv  countrv  in  which  it 
exists;  that  it  claims  the  right  to  punish  its  members  for 
oftVnse  unknown  to  the  laws  of  our  nation;  that  it  con- 
ceals crime  and  the  person  committing  the  crime;  that 
it  provides  opportunity  for  plots  against  ])ersons  and  the 
very  government  itself;  that  it  encourages  crime  by  pro- 
viding ways  for  the  guilty  to  escape;  that  it  assumes  un- 
republican  titles  and  dignities  and  creates  odious  aristo- 
cracies; that  it  blasphemes  the  name  of  God  and  makes 
the  Bible  subserve  its  own  concern;  that  by  a  j)rofane  use 
of  religious  forms  it  destroys  a  veneration  for  religion; 
that  it  promotes  idleness  and  intemperance;  that  it  accumu- 
lates at  the  expense  of  the  indigent,  funds  to  be  used  in 
dissipation;  that  it  contracts  human  sympathy  by  con- 
ferring its  favors  and  its  charities  on  its  members  onlv. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


121 


But  new  fraternities  appeared,  and  during  the  last 
eighty  years  they  have  become  increasingly  numerous. 
The  Sons  of  Temperance,  the  pioneer  of  the  anti-liquor 
secret  societies,  arose  in  1842.  Many  of  the  younger  peo- 
ple among  the  United  Brethren  went  into  its  "divisions" 
(lodges)  in  the  belief  that  the  considerations  urged  against 
Masonr\^  could  not  apply  to  a  society  whose  leading  aim 
was  to  further  a  cause  very  dear  to  the  Church.  And 
there  were  other  persons  in  the  denomination  \vho  were 
restive  under  the  rulings  on  secret  orders,  and  did  not 
always  observe  them,  even  with  respect  to  Masonry.  This 
was  particularly  the  case  within  the  domain  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Conference. 

As  against  the  claims  presented  against  the  Masonic 
and  other  orders  in  a  preceding  paragraph,  we  now  quote 
the  substance  of  an  address  by  Jacob  Bachtel  before  the 
General  Conference  of  1849.  In  this  session  the  rule  that 
stood  in  the  Discipline  until  1861  was  presented.  It  was 
adopted  by  a  vote  of  thirty-three  yeas  and  two  nays. 
Bachtel  and  Markwood  were  the  delegates  voting  in  the 
neiiative.  Burtner,  the  third  delegate,  was  neutral.  Mr. 
Bachtel  spoke  as  follows: 

'^This  report  includes  all  secret  orders.  I  am  not  much, 
if  any,  opposed  to  Masonry,  and  can  not  and  will  not 
turn  a  man  out  of  the  church,  or  refuse  him  admission 
to  the  church,  on  account  of  his  being  a  Mason.  I  can  not 
turn  the  Odd-fellows  out  or  reject  them.  The  object  of 
the  Sons  of  Tem])erance  is  grand,  noble,  and  benevolent. 
They  have  done  much  good  in  Virginia,  and  have  been 
the  means  of  reforming  many  drunkards.  Their  secrecy 
is  no  just  ground  of  objection.  The  disciples  had  secrets; 
warriors  have  secrets;  the  Church  has  secrets;  annual 
conferences  have  secrets;  sometimes  it  is  necessary  for 
them  to  have  secret  sessions,  and  there  ought  to  be  more. 
These  societies  must  have  secrets,  or  tests,  to  secure  them- 
selves against  fraud  and  imposition.  The  passage  of  this 
resolution  will  nearly  ruin  the  church  in  our  conference." 


/ 


122 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Within  the  United  Brethren  Church,  two  wings,  styled 
the  radical  and  the  liberal,  were  now  arrayed  against  each 
other.    The  radicals  held  inflexibly  to  the  traditional  policy 
of   the   church.     They   conceded   that   not   all   fraternities 
might  be  harmful  in  tendency,  but   they    did  object    to 
letting  down  the  bars.    They  insisted  that  the  new  societies 
imitated  the  mechanism  of  the  Masonic  order.     They  also 
insisted  that  the  essence  of  secrecy  is  the  same,  whatever 
the  avowed  or  unavowed  objects,  and  that  secrecy  muzzles 
freedom  of  opinion.    They  thought  it  better  for  the  church 
to  keep  clear  of  all  fraternities,  so  that  ministers  and  mem- 
bers might  be  free  to  utter  their  honest,  untrammeled  opin- 
ion at  any  time,  and  without   asking   the  permission   of 
any   secret    organization    whatever.      They     thought     that 
serious    complications   with    respect    to    church     discipline 
might   result   if   all    restrictions    were    withdrawn.      The 
liberals,  on  the  other  hand,  maintained  that  a  rigid,   un- 
compromising rule  was  unwdse  and  not  in  harmony  with 
the  spirit  of  the  age.     Their  ranks  were  largely  recruited 
from  the  non-German  elements  in  the  church  membership. 
But   the  popular  feeling  against   the  Masons  subsided. 
This  ancient  order  maintained  its  ground,  and  many  new 
fraternities  arose.     Meanwhile,  the  liberal  element  within 
the  United  Brethren  Church  grew  stronger  and  stronger, 
and  in  1885  was  able  to  secure  the  adoption  of  the  modified 
rule  which  is  now  in  force.     This  rule  runs  as  follows: 

A  secret  combination,  in  the  sense  of  the  Constitution,  is  a  secret 
league  or  confederation  of  persons  hohhng  principles  and  laws 
at  variance  with  the  Word  of  God,  and  injurious  to  Clu'istian 
character  as  evinced  in  individual  life,  and  infringing  upon  the 
natural,  social,  political,  or  religious  rights  of  those  outside  its  pale. 

Any  member  or  minister  of  our  Church  found  in  connection 
with  such  combination  shall  be  dealt  with  as  in  other  cases  of 
disobedience  to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church.— in  case 
of  members,  as  found  on  page  23  of  Discipline  in  answer  to  the 
third  question  of  Section  E,  Chapter  IV,  and  in  case  of  ministers, 
as  found  in  Chapter  VI,  Section  13,  page  65.      . 

Men  of  the  type  of  Bishop  Edwards  were  fierce  in  their 
denunciation  of  secret  orders  in  general  and  the  Masonic 
in  particular,  and  that  positive-minded  man  never  receded 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


123 


from  his  opinion.  The  stand  taken  by  the  Church  was  at 
first  quite  unanimously  upheld  and  was  very  long  con- 
tinued. It  operated  to  very  nearly  exclude  the  Church 
from  the  centers  of  i)opulation  and  cause  it  to  be  a  church 
of  the  rural  sections  almost  wholly.  In  a  large  sense  this 
is  still  the  case.  Yet  at  the  present  time,  there  is  no  active 
hostility  to  secret  fraternities,  and  members  (it  the  church 
feel  free  to  connect  themselves  with  such  as  are  obviously 
not  antagonistic  to  the  public  welfare. 


CHAPTER  XVII 
LIST  OF  FRKACHEKS:     CHRONOLOGICAL 

1800-11)21 

1800.— Dietrich  Aurand,  Jacob  P>aiiiiis,  Martin  Rocliiu, 
Henry  Boehm,  Christian  Cruni,  Henry  Cruni,  Abraham 
Draksel,  John  Ernst,  C.  Fortenbaui>h,  Jacob  Geisniger, 
Christopher  Crosh,  Georiic  A.  Guelliini^,  Snnon  Herre, 
Abraham  Hershev,  Cln'istian  Hershey,  Abraham  Hiestand, 
Martin  Krcider,,  Adam  Lelnnan,  Abraliam  Mayer,  Jolui 
Neidiiv,  Chiistiaii  Newcomer,  Isaac  Niswaiider,  William 
Otterbein,  Adam  Riei^el,  Frederick  Schaetler,  Benedict 
Schwope,  John  Seiiscny,  David  Snyder,  Daniel  Strickler, 
Michael  Thomas,  Henry  Weidner     :>1. 

1801— Ludwiii  Diicivwald.  Peter  Kemp,  Matthias  Kes- 
sler,  David  Loni^,  PvWv  Senscny,  Thomas  Winter— 6. 

1802.-- WiHiam  And)rose— 1. 

1803. (ieori^e  P>enednm,  Valentine  Fhii^el — 2. 

180  1.-  Matthias  P>orlsiield— 1. 

1805.— Christian  ]'>erivcr,  Jacob  Dehof,  Frederick  Dnck- 
wald,  Lorenz  Fberhart,  Daniel  Troyer— 5. 

1X0(). — Joseph  HotVman   -1. 

1807. — Abraham  Niswaiider— 1. 

1808 Henry  Duckwald,  Geori^ie  HolVman— 2. 

1809.— Christian  Smith,  John  Snyder     2. 

1810.-  Jlenry  Ow   -1. 

1811.— Michael  Haer,  Michael  Hershey,  H(>nry  Hiestand, 
Joseph  Jordan,  Peter  Swartz,  Jacob  Witter— 6. 

1812.  Valentine  P>auliis,  Georiie  A.  Geetinii;,  Jr.,  John 
Kreider.  John  Smith,  Henry  G.  Spayth— 5. 

18i:i— John  Hrown,  Charles  Hassel— 2. 

181  1.  John  Baer,  Henry  J.  Fry,  John  (leisiniier,  George 
Kolb,  Henry  Knnder,  John   Rathfani>,  Jacob  Winiijard— 7. 

1815.— Sanuiel  Brandt,  Jacob  Flickini^er,  Valentine  His- 

key,  Peter  Swartz — 4. 

181().     William  Brown,  Jacob  Flickint];er     2. 


CHUP.CII    HISTORY 


125 


1S17— Jacob  l^razcr,  William  Brown,  George  Brown, 
David  Fleck,  John   Hildt,  Conrad  Roth— 0. 

1  SI  8.— Daniel  PfeitVr,  Daniel  Ginoerich,  Al)raham 
Horner,  Jacob  Lehman,  John  Russell,  J.  Zentmeyer— (). 

1810.— Conrad  Weast--1. 
1820.     David    P.aer,    Jacob    Baer,    John    I'rown,    Jacob 

Dimaho — 4. 

1821. — Henry    P)nrlner,    John     Clop])cr,    John     HulYcr, 

Clnistian  Traub      1. 

? 822.     Thomas   Hutlin,  .lohn   Rider     2. 

1823.— Jacob     Frb.     John     HotVard,     Abraham     Huher, 

Gideon  Smith      I. 

1824. — Lorenz  Ksterlein,  James  Fwii>-     2. 

1X25. — John  Fry.  John  Hendricks.  Abraham  Hershey, 
John  Krack,  William  Rhinehart.  Chi"istian  Shopp.  James 
Snyder,  John  Zahn     8. 

1825  (Second  session).  -Kzekiel  P>orinL>,  Daniel  Godnatt, 
Peter  Habecker,  Jonah  Hank.  Henry  Kimmerlin^.  Thomas 

Miller— (). 

1820.— John  Hollman    -1. 

1827. — John  Eckstein,  George  Hiskey,  Jolm  Hu<>el— 3. 

1828 — Samuel  Allenbaui^h,  Joseph  P>er<j;er.  John  Dchoi", 
FT^'derick  (Gilbert.  Georij;(^  GilbiMi,  Henry  Huber,  William 
Kinnear.  Moses  Lawson.  William  Scholtle,  John  Smith., 
James  Sutton,  Richard  Tablom-   12. 

1820.— Christian  Crawlini^,  John  Dorcas,  James  E\vi«4, 
Peter  Harman,  Henry  Hii^i>ens.  Wilham  Knott,  James  New- 
man. Daniel  Senseny,  David  Winters,  Noah  Woodyard — 10. 

]S:')0. — Charles  Boehm,  John  Haney,  Herman  Hauk, 
Geori>e  Hufrman.  John  Potts.  Jacob  Rinehart,  Peter  White- 
sel,  HcMiry  Youn*^^ — 8. 

lS:n. — Jacob  J.  Cdossbrenner,  Jacob  Haas,  Frederick 
Hisey,  William  Miller— 1. 

1832. — J()sei)h  M.  Hershey,  George  Rimel  -2. 

is:!-:). — William  R.  Coursey,  George  A.  Shuey — 2. 

1834. — Jacob  Bachtel,  Jacob  P)aer,  G(M)ri4e  E.  Deneale, 
Francis  Eckard — I. 

18.35.- -Adam   I.  I'ovev,  Martin   L.   Fries,  Daniel   Funk- 


126 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


houser,  David  Jackson,  Jacob  Minser,  David  S.  Spessard, 
Jonathan  Tobey — 7. 

1836.— Moses  Michael— 1. 

1837.— Frederick  A.  Roper,  Charles  W.  Zahn— 2. 

1838.— William  p:d\vards,  Jacob  Mark  wood,  John  Rich- 
ards— 3. 

1839.— Henry  Jones,  Robert  G.  H.  Levering,  John  Rue- 
bush,  San>uel  Zehrung — 4. 

1840. — John  Pope,  Renjamin  Stickley — 2. 

1841.— Joseph  S.  Grim — 1. 

1842.— Jacob  C.  Spitler,  Emanuel  Witter— 2. 

1843. — James  E.  Rowersox,  Andrew  J.  Cofi'man,  John 
W.  Fulkerson,  William  Lutz — 4. 

1844. — David  Ferrell,  Joseph  Funkhouser,  John  Gib- 
bons, James  W.  Miles,  John  G.  Steward — 5. 

1845. — Richard  Nihiser — 1. 

1846. — John  Markwood,  Jacob  Rhinehart — 2. 

1848.— Georije  ().  Little,  George  W.  Station— 2. 

1849.— Theodore  F.  Rrashear — 1. 

1850.  John  W.  F^erry,  Abel  Randall,  Isaac  K.  Statton, 
H.  R.  Winton— I. 

1851.— W\  T.  Lower,  L.  \\\  Matthews— 2. 

1853. — Levi  Hess,  John  Phillips,  John  F.  Station-  -3. 

1854.^ — Samuel  Martin,  Henry  Tallhelm^ — 2. 

1855. — Isaiah  Raltzel,  William  H.  H.  Cain,  Renjamin 
Denton,  Zebidee  Warner,  J.  P.  Wliite — 5. 

1856. — G.  W.  Albaugh,  Jacob  A.  Rovey,  H.  R.  Davis, 
Cornelius  R.  Hammack,  Eli  Martin,  William  Yerkev — 7. 

1857. — Samuel  Evers,  Joseph  Holcomb,  John  W.  Howe, 
William  James,  George  W.  Rexroad,  Jacob  M.  Rodrick — 6. 

1859. — John  Delphy,  James  T.  Hensley,  T.  S.  McNeil — 3. 

I860.— W.  A.  Jackson— L 

1861. — T.  Rushong,  Joshua  Harp — 2. 

1862. — Henry  A.  Rovey,  J.  M.  Canter,  Abram  M.  Evers, 
James  W.  Hott,  John  K.  Nelson,  Charles  T.  Stearn — 6. 

1863.— John  W.  Grim,  John  W.  Kiracofe— 2. 

1864.— W.  J.  Miller,  George  H.  Snapp— 2. 

1865.— William  O.  Grim,  P.  H.  Thomas— 2. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


127 


1866.— J.  Elkanah  Hott— 1. 

1867.— Jacob  L.   Grim,   George    W.    Howe,    Snowden 

Scott — 3. 

1868.— Isaiah  Raltzell— 1. 

1869.— William   H.   Rurtner,   George   Harman,   Abram 

Hoover — 3. 

1870.— George  W.  Rrown,  John  N.  Ross— 2. 

1871.— John  R.  Funk— 1. 

1872.— Abraham  P.  Funkhouser,  Erasmus  P.  Funk,  J. 
W.  Funk,  Charles  M.  Hott,  J.  Negley,  P.  W.  WMler,  James 

E.  Whitesel,  J.  Ziirman — 8. 

1873.— C.  I.  R.  Rrane— 1. 

1874.— D.  Rarnhart,  WilUam  Reall,  J.  N.  Fries,  J.  G. 
Humphreys,  George  W..  Kiracofe,  Charles  Miller,  Zimri 
Umstot,  I.  M.  Underwood— 8. 

1875.— W.  H.  Clary,  A.  D.  Freed,  Henry  Jones,  Monroe 

F.  Keiter,  George  J.  Roudabush,  Jacob  R.  Roudabush — 6. 

1876.— Isaac  T.  Parlett,  C.  W.  Stinespring,  S.  T. 
Wells— 3. 

1877.— John  D.  Donavan,  John  M.  Hott,  J.  E.  Widmeyer, 
Sylvester  K.  Wine — 4. 

1878.— William  R.  Rerry,  Charles  H.  Crowell,  Isaac  T. 
Hott,  Charles  W.  Hutzler,  E.  Ludwich,  John  H.  Parlett— 6. 

1879.— R.  F.  Cronise,  George  P.  Hott— 2. 

1880.— J.  A.  Evans,  William  Hesse,  Abram  M.  Horn, 
J.  G.  Ketterman,  M.  L.  Mayselles,  M.  A.  Salt,  Samuel  H. 

Snell— 7. 

1881.— John  M.  Rolton,  C.  P.  Dyche,  William  O.  Fries, 
James  W.  Hicks,  W.  L.  Martin,  W.  H.  Sampsell— 6. 

1882.— Luther  ().  Rurtner,  P.  J.  Lawrence— 2. 

1883.— Albert  Day— 1. 

1885.— Rudolph  Ryrd,  N.  F.  A.  Cupp,  Harness  H.  Font, 
William  S.  Rau,  J.  E.  R.  Rice,  Silas  D.  Skelton— 6. 

1886.— A.  S.  Castle,  Green  R.  Fadeley,  Abram  S.  Ham- 
mack,  Alexander  N.  Horn,  Nimrod  A.  Kiracofe— 5. 

1887.— T.  K.  Cliti'ord,  George  M.  Gruber,  William  F. 

Gruver — 3. 

1888.— W.  P.  Razzle,  George  W.  Stover— 2. 


128 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


1S89. — J.  D.  Chamberlain,  William  0.  Ewing,  Jacob  C. 
S.  Myers,  Edgar  A.  Piigh,  Samuel  L.  Rice — 5. 

1890. — R.  L.  Dorsey,  Julius  R.  Fout,  J.  F.  Snyder — 3. 

1891.  H.  P.  S.  Husey,  Kdgar  W.  xMcMullen— 2. 

1892.  John  W.  Maiden— 1. 
1893.— J.  W.  Walter— 1. 

1894.— James  W.  Brill,  Otto  W.  Rurtner,  Walter  L, 
Childress,  S.  1).  Dawson,  S.  R.  Ludwig — 5. 

1895. — C.  1).  Rennett,  W.  H.  Rruce,  Samuel  A.  Crabill, 
William  O.  Jones,  H.  E.  Richardson,  A.  J.  Secrist — 6. 

1897.  -William  A.  Rlack,  John  H.  Rrunk,  George  M. 
Jones,  Lan  Seng  Nam,  L.  A.  Racey,  J.  W.  Stearn — 6. 

1898.— Luther  ().  F>ricker,  T.  J.  Feaster,  A.  R.  Hendrick- 
son,  A.  P.  Walton — 4. 

1899.— Charles  M.  Good,  T.  C.  Harper,  Ida  M.  Judy, 
E.  A.  Stanton — 4. 

1900.— E.  A.  Stanton,  T.  C.  Carter,  W.  S.  Ran— 3. 

1901.— J.  R.  Ferguson,  W.  R.  Keeley— 2. 

1902.- — W.  D.  Good,  Geo.  Rurgess,  S.  E.  Royd — 3. 

1903.— J.  L.  Argenbright,  E.  E.  NeH',  A.  G.  W^ells— 3. 

1904.— W.  M.  Maiden— 1. 

1905. — A.  R.  Wilson,  A.  R.  Vondersmith,  C.  J.  Racev,  J. 
Ralph  Geil,  R.  N.  Sypolt,  John  D.  Scott,  G.  J.  Rouda- 
bush — 7. 

1907— W.  R.  Chapman,  W.  D.  Mitchell,  A.  L.  Maiden— 3. 

1908.— T.  T.  Tabb— 1. 

1909.  R.  (i.  Hammond,  T.  M.  Sharp,  H.  E.  Richardson, 
Clayton  Wyand — i. 

1910.— F.  R.  Cliubb,  Wm.  Yansickle— 2. 
1911. — L.   C.   Messick,  A.   R.   Mann,   Geo.   A.   McGuire, 
I.  Summers — i. 

1912.— D,  G.  Rrimlow— 1. 

1913.   -R.  N.  Young,  W.  L.  Hamrick,  A.  Ramford— 3. 
1914.— R.  Rock,  S.  L.  Raugher,  J.  W.  W^ght— 3. 
1915.— T.  E.  Gainer,  W.  G.  McNeill,  D.  T.  Gregory,  J. 
H.  Schmitt,  H.  M.  Crimm,  J.  R.  Collis,  F.  A.  Tinney— 7.^ 
19ir).— W.  R.  Swank,  D.  F.  Glovier,  V.  L.  Phillips,  W.  R. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


129 


Obaugh,   M.   W.   Nelson,  J.   R.   Reale,   D.   D.   Rrandt,   W. 

A.  Wilt— 7. 

1917.— T.  J.  Coil'man,  W^  H.  Smith,  C.  W.  Hiser,  W.  R. 
McKinney,  J.  E.  Oliver,  L.  G.  Rridges,  \\\  P.  Holler,  W.  M. 

Courtney— 8. 

1918.— M.  L.  Weekley,  J.   H.  Arnold,  J.  R.   Chamber- 

lain^ — 3. 

1920.— H.  P.  Ruppenthal,  E.  E.  Miller— 2. 

1921.— Claude  Ryan,  Herman  Grove,  Lester  M.  Leach, 
C.  W.  Tinsman,  E.  R.  CapHnger,  U.  P.  Hovermale,  C.  K. 
Welsh— 7. 


* 


♦ 


The  following  list,  with  the  date  of  joining  the  confer- 
ence, gives  the  names  and  address  of  all  living  former 
members  of  the  Virginia  Conference,  as  far  as  we  are  able 
to  ascertain,  and  we  believe  it  is  exactly  correct.* 

1830.— John  Haney,  Marion,  Minn. 

1843.— John  W.  Fulkerson,  Marion,  Minn. 

1844.— James  W'.  Miles,  Raldwin,  W.  Va. 

1848.— Geo.  W.  Statton,  Monte  Vista,  Colo. 

1850.— L  K.  Statton,  Lisbon,  Iowa. 

1854.— Henry  Tallhelm,  Edinburg,  Va. 

1859.— James  T.  Hensley,  Marion,  Ohio. 

I860.— William  A.  Jackson,  Glen  Savage,  Pa. 

1861.— T.  F.  Rushong,  Eldorado,  Ohio. 

1861. — Joshua  Harp,  Renevola,  Md. 

1862.— Henry  A.  Rovey,  Potsdam,  Ohio. 

1862.— Chas.  T.  Stearn,  York,  Pa. 

1862. — Abram  M.  Evers,  Hagerstown,  Md. 

1863. — J.  Wesley  Grimm,  West  Fairvie\v,  Pa. 

1863. — J.  W^esley  Kiracofe,  Greencastle,  Pa. 

1864.— William  J.  Miller,  Lebanon,  Kans. 

1864.— Geo.  H.  Snapp,  Mt.  Olive,  Va. 

1867.— J.  L.  Grimm,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

1871.— John  R.  Funk,  Lancaster,  Pa. 

1872.— J.  W.  Funk. 

1873.— C.  I.  R.  Rrane,  Lebanon,  Pa. 

1874.— Geo.  W'.  Kiracofe,  Chincoteague  Isle,  Va. 


130 


UNITED    HHETHHEN 


187 1.— William  Hcall,  Berkeley  Springs,  W.  Va. 
1874. — I.  M.  Underwood,  Adeline,  111. 
1875. — M.  F.  Keiter,  Huntingdon,  Ind. 
1875. — (leo.  J.  Roiidabush^  Myersville,  Md. 
1876. — C.  W.  Stinespring,  Frederick  City,  Md. 
1877.— J.  F.  Hott,  Long  Glade,  Va. 

1878— Chas.   W.    Hutsler,    1035   N.    12th   St.,    Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 
1878. — F.  Ludwick,  Middletown,  Pa. 
1880.— William  Hesse. 
1880.— S.  H.  Snell,  Keedysville,  Md. 

1880.  M.  L.  Mayselles,  Munson,  W.  Va. 
1880.— M.  A.  Salt,  Florin,  Pa. 

1881. — W.  ().  Fries,  Fostoria,  Ohio. 
1881. -W.  L.  Martin,  Thurmont,  Md. 

1881.  John  M.  Bolton. 

1881. — J.  W.  Hicks,  Chicago  Junction,  Ohio. 
1882. — Luther  O.  Burtner,  Hagerstown,  Md. 
1883.— Albert  Day,  Marietta,  Ohio. 
1885.— Rudolph  iwnl  Chewsville,  Md. 
1885.— H.  H.  Font,  Dayton,  Ohio. 
1885. — J.  F.  B.  Rice,  Boonsboro,  Md. 
1886. — N.  A.  Kiracofe,  Pequea,  Pa. 
1886.— A.  X.  Horn,  Fayetteville,  Pa. 
1887.-    Geo.  M.  Gruber,  Hagerstown,  Md. 
1880.— J.  B.  Chamberlain,  Washington,  D.  C. 
1880.     Samuel  L.  Rice,  Keedysville,  Md. 
1800.— ^Julius  F.  Font,  Fostoria,  Ohio. 
1807. — Lau  Seng  Nam,  Canton,  China. 

*This  compilation  was  made  for  the  United  Brethren  Centennial 
of  1900. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 
LIST  OF  PRFACHERS:     ALPHABETICAL 

1800-1900,  Inclusive 

The  date  following  a  name  indicates  the  year  in  which 
it  first  appears  on  the  Conference  roll.  A  star  folloxvuig 
the  date  1800  shows  that  the  preacher  was  a  member  m 
that  year  or  was  licensed  at  that  time. 

Abbreviations :  d.— died ;  ord.— ordained ;  trans.— 
transferred;  M.  E.— Methodist  Episcopal;  M.  E.  C.  S.— 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South;  Presb.— Presbyter- 
ian; Ref.— German  Reformed;  Ch.— church;  b.— born;  0. 
C.--United  Brethren,  Old  Constitution. 

Albaugh,  G.  W.— 1856— withdrew  under  charges. 

AUenbaugh,  Samuel— 1828— ord.  1834— withdrew  irreg- 
ularly, 1842,'  and  joined  the  Lutherans— lived  on  Bowman 
place  between  Whitesel's  and  Harrisonburg— came  from 
Pendleton— helped  Shickle  and  Biddle  in  great  meeting  at 

Frieden's. 

Ambrose,William— 1802— see  Chap.  XX. 

Aurand,  Dietrich— 1800*. 

Bachtel,  Jacob- 1831— ord.  1837— d.  1806  aged  d4— 
buried  at  Otterbein,  Jackson  Co.,  W.  Va. 

Baer,   Michael— 1811— lived  near  Chambersburg,   Pa. 

Baer,  John  —1814. 

Baer,  David— 1820— ord.  1822— d.  at  Potts  Valley,  Pa., 

1853. 

Baer,  Jacob— 1820— d.  1823  (?). 

Baer,  Jacob— 1834— ord.  1837— came  from  Md.  (?)  — 
b.  1807,  d.  1855  -buried  at  Churchville,  Va.— widow  mar- 
ried John  Smith. 

Baltzell,  Isaiah— 1855— ord.  1856— in  Pennsylvania 
Conf.  1859-60,  1862-68— trans,  to  E.  Pennsylvania  Conf. 
1872— d.  1893 — memorial  services  at  General  Conference. 

Barnhart,  D.— 1874— ord.  1879— trans,  to  Pennsylvania 
Conf.  1880. 


132 


UNITED    B BETH HEN 


CHIBCH    IlISTOHY 


133 


Bauliis,  JiRob^Settled  near  Fremont,  O.,  1822^fatlicr 
of  Sandusky  Conf. 

Haulus,  Valentine -1812  ord.  1817— d.  about  1818, 
ai^ed  o(). 

Hazzle,  W.  P.— 1888  -ord.  1895. 

Heall,  William -^  187  l^ord.  1876— honorably  dismissed 
at  his  own  request,  1880. 

Henedum,  (leor^e— 1803— moved  to  O.,  1801— d.  1837, 
a.qed  72. 

Bennett,  S.  D.— 1895— ord.  1898. 

Heri^er,  Christian— 1805— to  see  what  would  take  place 
below  in  the  i>reat  meetini,%  he  hid  himself  in  a  barn  in 
Berks  Co.,  but  at  lenijth  the  people  were  startled  by  his 
loud  eries  and  prayers;  he  was  brought  down  and  soon  con- 
verted—always  in  deep  poverty,  but  an  indefatioable 
preacher— moved  to  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa. 

Berber,  Joseph — 1828. 

Berry,  William  R.— 1878— ord.  1881— d.  1906,  ai^ed  53 
— buried  at  Dayton,  Va. 

Black,  William  A,— 1897— ord.  1900. 

Boehm,  Martin     1800*— see  Chap.  III. 

Boehm,  Henry— 1800*— joined  M.  E.  CIi.  1804. 

Boehm,  Charles— 1830— ord.  1832. 

Bolton,  John  M.— 1881— ord.  1886— trans.to  Md.  Conf. 
1887 — joined  Presb.  Ch. 

Borini,^  P:zekiel— 1825— ord.  1828-Jived  in  Pa.,  but 
traveled  in  Va.  and  preached  at  Whitesers— d.  1861. 

Bortsfield,  Matthias— 1804— eharter  members  of  Musk- 
ini^unn  Conf.  1818. 

Bovey,  Adam  I.— 1835— ord.  1838— went  from  Keedvs- 
ville,  Md.  to  W.  Va.,  1852— d.  1879,  aged  82. 

Bovey,  Jacob  A.— 1856— ord.  1858— d.  1859,  aged  35-- 
buried  at  Edinburg,  Va. 

Bovey,  Henry  A.— 1862— ord.  1864— b.  1831— trans  to 
Central  Ohio  Conf.  1878. 

Boyd,  S.  E.— d.  at  Roanoke,  Va.,  1911,  aged  67— this 
name  occurs  only  in  Mr.  Funkhouser's  necrology. 


1 


Howersox.  James  E.— 1843  -ord.  1846  -trans,  to  Iowa 
Conf.  1858     married  a  Shuey^d.  at  Shueyville,  la. 
Brandt,  Samuel      1815. 
Brane,  C.  I.  B.     1873    ord.  1876    Trans,  to  Md.  Cont. 

1887. 

Brashear,    Theodore    F.- -1849— iine    singer— went     to 

Iowa,  1862. 

l^razer,    Jacob     1817— lived    at    Chambersburg,    Pa.— 

d.  1822. 

Bricker,  Luther  ().— 1898— ord.  1900. 

l^>rill,  James  W.     189  1. 

P,r()wn,  John      1813     exhorter. 

Brown,  John      1820- ord.  1821     same  as  preceding  (?). 

Brown,  William— 1816— ord.  1819 moved  to  Benton 
Co.,  Ind.  1838(1.  1868,  aged  72. 

Brown,  William— 1817— bishop  one  term,  dechned  re- 
election. 

Brown,  George     1817. 

Brown,   George  W.— 1870— withdrew    under    charges, 

1877. 

Bruce,  W.  H.— 1895. 

Brunk,  John  H.— 1897— ord.  1900. 

Burtner,  Henry— 1821— ord.  1823— d.  1857,  aged  57. 

Burtnerl  William  H.— 1869— ord.  1874. 

Burtner,  Luther  ().— 1882— ord.  1889— trans,  to  Md. 
Conf.  1889— appointed  to  Africa  1892,  serving  1\:^  years. 

Burtner,  Otto  W.-1894. 

Busey,  B.  P.  S.   ord.  1898. 

Bushong,  T.— 1861— trans,  to  Miami  Conf. 

Byrd,  Rudolph— 1885--ord.  1887. 

Cain,  William    M.    H.— 1855— trans,    to    Parkersburij 

ConL  1857. 

Canter,  J.  M.— 1862— ord.  1864— trans,  to  Scioto  Conf 

(:>)  1866. 

Castle,  A.  S.— 1886— trans,  to  Md.  Conf.  1887. 
Chamberlain,  J.  B. -1889— ord.  1891. 
Childress,  Walter  L.— 1894— an  elder  from  M.  P.  Ch. 
Clary,  \\\  H.— 1875— ord.  1885— d.  1913,  aged  69. 


134 


UNITED    BHETHHEN 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


135 


Clifford,  T.  K.— 1887— ord.  1890— d. 
Clopper,  John— 1821— ord.  1829— lived  in  Md. 
Coffman,  Andrew  J. — 1843^ — ^ord.  1846— from  Page  Co. 
- — joined  Lutheran  Ch. 

Coursey,  William  R. — 1833 — ord.  1835 — trans,  to  Rock 
River  Conf.  1867— d.  at  Henevola,  Md.,  1880. 

Crabill,  Samuel  A.— 1895-  ord.  1898. 
Cronise,  B.  F.— 1879— ord.  1879— local— from  M.  E.  Ch. 
—trans,  to  Md.  Conf.  1887. 

Crowell.  Charles  H.— 1878— ord.  1882. 

Crowling,  Christian — 1829. 

Crum,  Christian — 1800* — ord.  1819 — b.  near  Frederick, 
Md.- — lived  near  the  Hott  place,  Pleasant  Valley,  Va. — 
d.  1823. 

Crum,  Henry— 1800*. 

Cupp,  N.  F.  A.— 1885— ord.  1887. 

Davis,  H.  F. — 185() — trans,  to  Parkersburg  Conf. 

Dawson,  S.  D.— 1894. 

Day,  Albert     1883— ord.  1886— joined  Presb.  Ch.  1892. 

Deiiof,  Jacob— 1805— ord.  1817— d.  1834. 

Dehof,  John— 1828— ord.  1830  and  went  to  Penn.  Conf. 
— d.  1844. 

Delphy,  John— 1859. 

Denea'le,  George  E.— 1834— ord.  1835— from  Ohio  (?) 
— "no  longer  a  preacher  among  us,"  1837. 

Denton,  Henjamin — 1855 — local  preacher  and  farmer — ■ 


grandfather  of  Rev.  S.  L.  Rice— d.  about  1856 — buried  at 
Drv  Run. 

Donavan,  John  D.— 1877— ord.  1881— d.  1905,  aged  50— 
buried  at  Singers  Glen,  Va. 

Dorcas,  John— 1829— ord.  1832. 

Dorsey,  R.  L. — 1890 — dismissed  from  the  ministrv,  1894. 

Draksel,  Abraham — 1800* — b.  in  Lebanon  Co.,  Pa.,  1753 
—removed  to  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa.,  1804— d.  1825. 

Duckwald,  Ludwig — ^1801. 

Duckwald,  Frederick — 1805— lived  at  Sleepv  Cr.,  Va. 

Duckwald,  Henry— 1808. 

Dunaho,  Jacob— 1820. 


I 


Dyche,  C.  P.— 1881— ord.  1885. 

Eberhart,  Lorenz — 1805. 

Eckard,  Francis— 1834— ord.  1838— silenced  1842 -re- 
stored 1844— license  demanded  1845— d.  near  Midway. 
Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.,  during  the  war— wife  a  Hoffman. 

Eckstein,  John— 1827— ord.  1829. 

Edwards,  William— 1838— ord.  1841— trans,  to  Iowa 
Conf.  1853— reared  at  Whitesel's  Church— strong  m 
prayer — wife  a  Ganger — d.  in  Iowa. 

Erb,  Jacob— 1823— ord.   1825— bishop  three  terms— d. 

April  29,  1883,  aged  79. 

Ernst,  John— 1800*— belonged  in  Pa. 

Esterlein,  Lorenz — 1824 — ord.  1827. 

Evans,  J.  A.— 1880— b.  in  Michigan,  educated,  went  to 
Africa,  1870,  returned,  served  the  freedmen  in  Va.,  and 
returned    to   Africa,    1880— d.   at   Freetown,    Africa,    1899 

and  there  buried. 

Evers,  Samuel— 1857— d.  1861  aged  30— buried  at  L  nion 

church,  Cross  Keys,  Va. 

Evers,  Abram  M.— 1862— ord.  1863— trans,  to  Md.  Conf. 

1887 

Evig,  James— 1824— ord.  1829  (?). 

Ewing,  William  O.— 1889— ord.  1892— d.  1898  aged 
32— buried  at  Friendship,  Frederick  Co.,  Va. 

Fadeley,  Green  H.— 1886— ord.  1889. 

Feaster,  T.   J.— 1898— 1901— d.   1906   aged   32— buried 

at  Lahmansville,  W\  Va. 

Ferrell,  David— 1844— went  West  and  died  in  Kans.— 

wife  a  preacher. 

Fleck,  David— 1817— ord.  1819. 

Flickinger,  Jacob— 1815— exhorter. 

Flugel,  Valentine— 1 803. 

Fortenbaugh,  G.— 1800*. 

Font,  Harness  H.— 1885— ord.  1887— and  trans,  to  Md. 

Conf. 

Font,  Juhus  E.— 1890— ord.  1893— trans,  to  Md.  Conf. 

1894;  to  Sandusky,  1898. 

Freed,  J.  D.— 1857— ord.   1862— trans,   to  Penn.   Conf. 

1885. 


13() 


L'MTEl)    HHi:THiU:X 


FR('d,  A.  D.     1875  -  d.  187(). 

Fries,  Martin  L. — 1835 — brother  to  Josiah  Fries — well 
educated,  very  briijilit  and  proniisint^ — married  Sarah  Fix 
at  Leitersburij;,  Md.  and  died  one  niontli  later  about  18.'i7 — 
buried  at  Haiierstown,  Md. 

Fries,  J.  X.— 1871— ord.  1878. 

Fries,  William  ().— 1881  ord.  1885— trans,  to  Md. 
1887 — trans,  to  Sandusky  Conf.  181)0. 

Fry,  Henry,  J.— 181  1. 

Fry,  John    -1825— ord.  1829. 

Fulkerson,  Jolin  W.      1813 — ord.   1816 — trans,   to  Iowa 
Conf.  1859;  to  Minn.  Conf.  1857.     See  Chapter  XIX. 
Funk,  Frasmus  P. — 1872 — ord.  1875 — trans,  to  Pa. 
Funk,    J.    W.   -1872()rd.    1875 — trans,    to    Kas.    Conf. 

Funk,  John   F>.     1871— trans,   to  F.   Penn.   Conf.    1878. 
Funkhouser,    Daniel      1835     reared    at     Mt.     Hebron^ 
from  Penn.  Conf. 

Funkhouser,  Joseph  181 1  -farmer  near  Keezletown, 
Va.— ord.  1817— joined  M.  F.  C.  S.,  18()5. 

Fimkhouser.  Abram  P. — 1872  ord.  187() — see  Cha]). 
XXIII. 

Geisin^er,  Jacob     1800*. 
Geisini>er,  John — 1814. 

(libbons,  John  1811 — ord.  181f) — reared  near  Church- 
ville,  Va.  bashful  as  a  boy,  could  preach  from  the  start — 
professed  religion  in  a  camp  meeting  at  Peter  Ruebush's — 
d.  near  P)urlin<4t()n.  W.  Va.  about  1817  and  buried  at  old 
stone  church. 

Gilbert,  (reor<>e— 1828-    trans,  to  Penn.  Conf.  18  l.*!. 

Gilbert,    Frederick      1828()rd.    1830(1.    1800     buried 
at  Chambersburii,  Penn. 
Ginoerich  , Daniel — 1818. 

Glossbrenner,  Jacob  J.— 1831— ord.  1883 — see  Chapter 
XIX. 

Godnatt,  Daniel-    1825. 
Good,  Charles  M.— 1900. 


CIirHCH    HISTOHY 


1.37 


Grim,  Joseph  S.— 1841— ord.  1817  -trans,  to  Md.  Conf. 

1887. 

(irim,  John  \V.— 1803— ord.  1801— trans,  to  Penn. 

Conf.  187(). 

Grim,   William   0.— 1805 ord.    1805— trans,    to   Penn. 

Conf.  1883. 

Grim,  Jacob  L.— 1807— ord.  1809. 

Grosch,  Christopher— 1800*  -went  West -d.  1829— 
buried  in  Lancaster  Co.,  Penn. 

Gruber,  Geori^e  M.    -1887— trans,  to  Md.  Conf.  1887. 

Gruver,  William  F.— 1887— ord.  1889. 

Guethiniv,  Geori^e  A.— 1800*— ord.  1783-d.  1812,  aiied 

7.'^ — see  Chap.  VI. 

Guethiniv  ((ieeliniv).  George  A.,  Jr.— 1812    -ord.  1810— 

d.  about  1842,  atj;ed  ()1. 

Haas,  Jacob  1831— local  j)reacher  and  blacksmith- 
lived  in  Fdinburiv,  Va.  d.  18()2,  ai^ed  72— converted  at 
Mill  Cr.— of  the  family  about  Woodstock. 

Habecker,  Peter- -1825. 

Hammack,  Cornelius  B.— 1850— d.  Mar.  1,  1877  buried 
at  Oak  Hill,  Va. 

Hammack,  Abram  S.— 1880— ord.  1890. 

Hanev,  John— 183>0 ord.  1832— went  to  Penn.  1830, 
returned  1841— removed  to  Minn.  1857— a  charier  member 
of  Minn.  Conf.— strong  and  influential  preacher  loved  a 
oood  horse — i)receded  Cdossbrenner  in  Rockini^^ham. 

Harman,  Georoe— 1809— ord.  1870— d.  1899,  ai>ed  70. 

Herman   (Herrman),  Peter   -1829()rd.  1831   -trans,  to 

Penn.  Conf.  1834. 

Harp,   Joshua— 1801— ord.    18()4— trans,    to    Md.   Conf. 

1887. 

Harper,  T.  C— 1900.  ' 

Hassell,  Charles— 1813— exhorter. 

Hendricks,   John— 1825— ord.    1827     preached   at    Kep- 

liui^eFs. 

Hendrickson,  A.  R.— 1898. 

Hensley,  James  T.— ord.  1859  trans,  to  Parkersbun-4 
Conf.  1800. 


I 


I 


I 


138 


UNITED    BHETFIHEN 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


139 


Hcrre,  Simon— 1800*— d.  1821. 

Hershey,  Christian— 1800*— lived  in  Pcnn. 

Hershey,  Abraham— 1800*— uncle  to  Jacob  Erb,  as  also 

was  Christian  Hershey. 

Hershey,  Abraham— 1825— ord.  1827— d.  1839— hved  m 

Penn. 

Hershey,  Michael— 181 1  — exhorter. 

Hershey,  Joseph  M.— 1832— trans,  to  St.  Joseph  Conf. 

Harman  (Herrman),  Peter— 1829— ord.  1831— trans,  to 

Penn.  Conf.  1834. 

Hess,  Levi— 1853— ord.  1855— in  Penn.  Conf.  1857-68— 
trans,  to  Parkersburt^  Conf.— joined  M.  E.  Ch.— d.  at  Win- 
chester, Va. 

Hesse,  Wilham— 1880— ord.  1883— joined  Lutheran  Ch. 

Hicks,  James  W.— ord.  1881— came  from  Miami  Conf .— 
£tradauated  from  U.  H.  Seminary,  1880— trans,  to  Md.  Conf. 
1887— later  to  Sandusky  Conf. 

Hiestand,  Abraham— 1800*. 

Hiestand,  Henry— 1811. 

Higgens,  Henry,  1829— ord.  1831— d.  about  1832. 

Hiidt,  John— 1817— ord.  1820. 

Hisev,  Frederick— 1831— ord.  1835— d.  at  Edinburgh 
Va. — grandfather  to  L.  M.  Hisey. 

Hiskey,  Valentine— 1815— ord.  1822. 

Hiskey,  George— 1827— ord.  1830. 

Hoffard  (Huffer),  John— 1821— ord.  1829— d.  1842, 
aged  42. 

Hoffard,  John— 1823— ord.  1831. 

Hoffman,  Joseph— 1806— ord.  1813— b.  in  Cumberland 
Co.,  Pa.,  1780,  began  preaching  1802,  succeeded  Otterbein 
as  pastor  in  Baltimore — removed  to  Montgomery  Co.,  O. 

Hoffman,  George— 1808— ord.  1816. 

Hoffman,  George— 1830— ord.  1833— d.  1888,  aged  82. 

Hoffman,  John— 1826— ord.  1829. 

Holcomb,  Joseph — 1858 — ord.  1862 — joined  M.  E.  C.  S., 

1873. 

Hoover,   Abram— 1869— ord.    1871-^.   at    Churchville, 

Va.,  1901,  aged  62. 


Horn,  Abram  M.— 1880— ord.  1883. 

Horn,  Alexander  N.— 1886— trans,  to  Md.  Conf.  1887. 

Horner,  Abraham— 1818— exhorter. 

Hott,  Jacob  F.— 1887— b.  Nov.  20,   1822— d.   Aug.   31, 

1884. 

Hott,  James  W.     1862  -ord.  1864— see  Chaj).  XIX. 

Hott,  J.  Elkanah  -1866— withdrew,  1870 -trans,  from 
Dakota  Conf.  1877— joined  ().  C,  1889. 

Hott,  Charles  M.— 1872— ord.  1875— trans,  to  Md.  Conf. 
1887— d.  at  Woodbridge,  Cal. 

Hott,  John  M.— 1877— ord.  1883. 

Hott,  Isaac  T.— 1878  trans,  to  Miami  Conf.  1882  -join- 
ed Presb.  Ch. 

Hott,  George  P.— 1879  -ord.  1883  -see  Chai).  XX. 

Houk,  Jonah— 1825. 

Houk,  J.  B.— same  as  Jonah?— withdrew  irregularly- 
joined  M.  E.  C.  S.— d.  about  1864  on  Elizabeth  Island. 

Houk,  Herrman— 1830— ord.  1834. 

Houk,  Jacob  M.  -1830— ord.  1833— lived  near  Melrose— 
married  Barbara  Rhodes,  the  woman  who  reared  him  and 
who  was  probably  40  years  older. 

Howe,  John  W.-    1858  -ord.  1860— see  Chaj).  XX. 

Howe,  George  W.— 1867  -d.  1889,  aged  57     buried  at 

Mt.  Horeb. 

Huber,  Samuel— 1816— ord.  1819. 

Huber,  Henr^^ — 1828. 

Hugel,  John— 1827— ord.  1830. 

Humphreys,  J.  G.— 1874— dismissed  for  failure  to  meet 
committee  on  course  of  reading,  1877. 

Hutlin,  Thomas — 1822. 

Hutzler,   Charles   W.— 1878— ord.    1881— trans,     to    E. 

Penn.  Conf.  1883. 

Jackson,  David— 1835— local  preacher— gave  up  his 
license— d.  at  Churchville,  Va.— father  of  Rev.  W.  A.  Jack- 
son. 

Jackson,  W.  A.     1860— trans,  to  Penn.  Conf.,  1863. 

James,  William— 1856— trans,  to  Parkersburg  Conf. 

Jones,  Henry— 1839— perhaps  lived  on  Holcomb  place 
near  Melrose,  Va. 


140 


UNITED    BHETHREN 


CHURCH    HlSTOin^ 


141 


Jones,  HeniT-1875-ord.  1878-d.  1881),  aged  52. 

Jones,  William  O.— 1895. 

Jones,  George  M.— 1897. 

Jordan,  Joseph— 181 1—exhorter. 

Judv,  Ida  M.- 1900. 

Keedy,  D.  D.— trans,  from  Alleghany  Cont.  18o/— trans. 

to  Md.  Gonf.  1887.  ^     .   .      ^  ,^   r    iqoi 

Keiter,  Monroe  F.-1875    ord.  18/8-]omed  O.  G    1S,)1. 
Kemp,  Peter— 1801— d.  near  Frederiek,  Md.,  1811. 
Kessler,  Matthias — 1801. 
Ketterman.  J.  G.— 1880-   xl.  1881,  aged  50. 
Kimmerling,  Henry— 1825. 
Kinnear,  William-  1828— ord.  18:U. 
Kiracofe,  John   W.-1863-ord.    1864-trans.    to    Md. 

Conf.  1887. 

Kiraeofe,  George  W.-1874-ord.  187/     trans,  to  Penn. 

Conf.  1878— joined  Bapt.  Gh. 

Kiracofe,  Nimrod  A.— 1880— trans,  to  Md.  Gont.  188/  — 

ord.  1893. 

Kolb,  George     1814. 

Knott,  William-1829-ord.  18:V2-"Papi)y  Knott  was 
a  good  preacher  with  a  wonderful  voice— could  not  read 
when  he  began  to  preach  and  someone  often  read  for  Inm. 

Krack,  .John     1825--ord.  1827. 

Kreider,  Martin— 1800*. 

Kreider,  John— 1812— ord.  1817. 

Kunder,  Henrv-1814-ord.  1810-lived  near  Green- 
castle.  Penn.,  but  moved  to  Hutler  Go.,  O.  1819-member 
first  General  Gonference— bishop  20  years  -son  of  Swiss 
immigrant— d.  1854,  aged  79.  ,^' 

Lan  Seng  Nam— 1897     native  of  Ghina— iomed  Gont. 

in  Ghina. 

Lawrence,  P.  J.-  -1882  ord.  1885. 

Lawson,  Moses— 1828     ord.  181^0. 

Lehman,  Adam— 1800*— d.  about  1823,  aged  90. 

Lehman,  Jacob — 1818. 

Levering,  Robert  G.  H.— 1839— stammered  in  conversa- 
tion but  no"l  in  preaching,  in  which  he  was  powerful. 


Little,  George  O.— 1848— trans,  to  Penn.  Gonf.-  -father 

of  G.  K.  Little. 

Long,  David — 1801. 

Lower,  W.  T.— 1851— ord.  1853     trans,  to  Penn.  Gonf. 

1^7()__(1.  in  Ghambersburg,  Penn. 

Ludwick,  E.— 1878— ord.   1881— trans,   to   Penn.  Gonf. 

1 S85 

Ludwig,  S.  R.— 1894— ord.  1897. 

Lutz,  William— 1843— ord.  1840— native  of  Page  Go., 
Vj,, — joined  Lutheran  Gh. 

Lutz,  L.  Walter— 1899— ord.  1900— from  W.  Va.  Gonf. 

which  he  joined  1897.  ^ 

M.iiden,  John  W.— 1892 ord.  1896. 

Markwood,  Jacob— 1838     ord.  1841— see  Ghap.  XIX. 

Markwood,  John— brother  to  Jacob-  -trans,  from  Scioto 
Gonf.— lived  in   Hampshire  Go.— blind  last  years  of  life. 

Martin,  Samuel— 1854— local  preacher  and  blacksmith- 
charter  member  of  Parkersburg  Gonf. 

Martin,   Eli— 1856— came   from   Baptist   Gh.— trans,   to 

Parkersburg  Gonf. 

Martin,  W.  L.— 1881     ord.   1884     trans,   to  Md.   Gonf. 

1887. 

Matthews,  L.  W.— 1851  ord.  1853  -trans.  1863— rear- 
ed in  Frederick  Go.— a  fine  preacher. 

Mayer,  Abraham— 1800*— d.  1826,  aged  69-4ived  near 
Garlisle,  Penn.— ord.  1819. 

Mayselles,  M.  L.— 1880--ord.  1887     trans,  to  Md.  Gonf. 

1887. 

McMullen,  Edgar  W.— 1891-    d.  1817,  aged  54 —buried 

at  Singers  Glen. 

McNeil,  T.  S.— 1859— from  Miami  Gonf.     d.  1874. 

Micliael,  Moses— 1856— ord.  1858  (?)— trans,  to  Mo. 
Gonf. — charter  member  thereof,  1858. 

Miles,  James  W.— 1844— ord.  1846— trans,  to  Parkers- 
burg Gonf.  1857. 

Miller,  Tliomas— 1825— ord.  1828— preached  at  White- 
seFs— lived  in  Shenandoah  Go.— married  a  Painter— joined 
Lutheran  Gh. 


142 


UNITED    BHETHHEN 


CHTHCH    HISTORY 


143 


Miller  William— 1831  silenced  for  riinnini^  his  horse 
on  a  race  track  about  1836— d.  in  Penn.  ISfVi. 

Miller,   \V.    J.— 1864— ord.    1868     trans,    to     N.     Kans. 

Conf.  1890. 

Miller,  Charles— 1874— from  p:vani^elical  Association— 

d.  1892,  aged  67. 

Minser,  Jacob— 1835— came  from  the  Methodists  -n^ar- 
ed  in  Frederick  Co.,  Va.— married  a  Bender— quit  preach- 
ing— went  West. 

Mvers,  Jacob  C.  S.  -1899— ord.  1900. 

Nt^gley,  J.— 1872— ord.  1878— d.  1898,  ai^ed  67. 

Neidii^,  John— 1800*— lived  near  Harrisburg,  Penn.— d. 
1844,  ai4ed  79. 

Nelson,  John  K.  1862— ord.  1864— trans,  to  Md.  Couf. 
1887— joined  O.  C,  1890     (i.  at  Winchester,  Va. 

Newcomer,  Christian  -1 800*— ord.  1 81 3— see  Chap. 
VIII. 

Nihiser,  Richard— 1845— reared  near  Mt.  Hebron,  Shen- 
andoah Co.,  Va.— pious  student,  great  in  song  and  prayer, 
voice  like  a  trumpet — death  most  triumphant — d.  of  con- 
sumption at  Chewsville,  Md.,  1847— b.  at  Hagerstown. 

Nihiser,  J.  W.— 1857— ord.  1858— married  Mary  Lig- 
gett of  Kdinburg,  Va.— d.  1893,  aged  66— buried  at  Keedys- 
ville.  Md. 

Niswander,  Isaac— 1800*- -d.  1820  (?). 

Niswander,  Abraham — 1807. 

Otterbein,  William— 1800*— see  Chap.  II. 

Ow,  Henry— 1810— ord.  1817. 

Parlett,  Isaac  T.— 1876— ord.  1879— joined  ().  C,  1891. 

Parlett,  John  H.— 1878— ord.  1881— joined  O.  C,  1891. 

Perry,  John  W. — 1850 — ord.  1853 — trans,  to  Parkers- 
burg  Conf.  1857. 

Pfeifer,  Daniel— 1818— ord.  1820. 

Pfrimmer,  John  G. — 1800* — ord.  1815 — b.  in  France — 
d.  in  Harrison  Co.,  Ind.,  1825,  aged  63. 

Phillips,  John — 185,'^ — ord.  1855 — withdrew  irregularly,. 
1858 — joined  Presb.  Ch. — d.  in  the  west  of  Penn, 


I 

I 


Pope,  John— 1840— ord.  1843— local  preacher— lived  in 
Pendleton  Co. 

Potts,  John— 1830. 

Pugh,  Fdgar  A.— 1889— trans,  to  E.  Tenn.  Conf.,  1899— 

d.  1899. 

Racey,  L.  A.— 1897— ord.  1900. 

Randall,  Abel— 1850— ord.  1853— local  preacher— lived 
in  Pendleton  Co.,  below  Fort  Seybert— trans,  to  Iowa  Conf. 

1859. 

Rallifang,  John— 1814. 

Ran,  William  S.— 1885— returned  his  credentials  to 
Conference. 

Rexroad,  George  W.— 1858— ord.  1862— d.  1898,  aged 
77_buried  at  Mill  Cr.,  Rockingham  Co.,  Va. 

Rliinehart,  William  R.— 1825— ord.  1828— buried  at 
Miami  chapel. 

Rliinehart,  Jacob— 1830— ord.  1832— in  Penn.  Conf. 
1840-46— d.  at  Fishersville,  Va.,  1856— buried  at  Rethlehem, 
Augusta  Co. — grave  unmarked. 

Richards,  John— 1838— ord.  1841  -great  revivalist  and 
popular— withdrew  irregularly,  1846 — joined  Lutheran 
Ch. — went  to  Iowa. 

Richardson,  H.  E.— 1895— ord.  1898. 

Riegel,  Adam— 1800*. 

Rice,  J.   E.  R.— 1885— ord.   1887— trans,  to  Md.  Conf. 

1897. 

Rice,  Samuel  L.— 1889— ord.  1892. 

Ridenour,  Jacob  R.— 1875— ord.  1878. 

Rider,  John— 1822. 

Rimel,  George — 1832 — ord.  1835 — owned  a  farm  and 
rode  a  poor  horse — trans,  to  Mo.  Conf.  1866 — d.  soon  after- 
ward. 

Rodrick,  Jacob  M.— 1858— ord.  1860— d.  1887,  aged  73. 

Ross,  John  N.— 1870— joined  M.  E.  C.  S.,  1873. 

Roth,  Conrad— 1817. 

Roudabush,  George  J.— 1875— ord.  1879— trans,  to  Md. 
Conf.  1887. 


144 


UNITED    J5HETHKEX 


CHLHCH    HISTORY 


145 

\ 


RiRbusli,  John— 1839— ord.  1812— in  Tenn  185()-70— 
d.  at  Lcittrsburg,  Md.,  1881,  ai^ed  64— buried  at  KceysviUe, 

Md. 

Russell,  John— b.  near  Baltimore,  Md.,  Mar.  18,  1/9J— 
be^an  to  preach,  181t^-    bishop  two  terms— lived  at  Keedys- 

ville,  Md.— d.  Dec.  21,  1870. 

Salt,  M.  A.— 1880— ord.  1883— trans,  to  E.  Penn..  188o. 

Sanipsell,  W.  H.     1881— ord.  1885. 

Schaeller,  Frederick— 1800*— ord.  1813. 

Schottle,  William— 1828— ord.  1829. 

Schwope,  Benedict— 1800*— in  conference  of   178'J. 

Scott,  Snowden— 1867— see  Chapt.  XX. 

Scott,  John  1).— 1805— d.  at  Roanoke,  Va.,  1907,  aged  78. 

Secrist,  A.  J.— 1895— ord.  1898. 

Sensenv,  John— 1800*. 

Sensenv,  Peter— 1801— d.  at  Winchester,  Va.,  1804  (?). 

Sensenv,  Daniel— 1829. 

Shopp,  Christian— 182,V()rd.  1829. 

Shuey,  George  A.— 1833^ord.  1835-d.  1877  (?). 

Skelton,  Silas  D.— 1885— ord.  1887. 

Smith,  Christian— 1809. 

Smith,  Gideon   -1823— ord.  1825. 

Smith,  John— 1828— ord.  1830. 

Snapp,  (leorge  H.— 1864— ord.  1874— trans,  to  Parkers- 
burg  Conf. 

Snell,  Samuel  H.  1880— ord.  1883— trans,  to  Md.  Conf. 
1887. 

Snyder,  David     1800*— d.  near  Newville,  Penn..   1819, 

aged  57. 

Snyder,     John — 1809 — ord.     1817— lived     in     Penn. — 

d.  1845. 

Snvder,  James— 1825— ord.  1828. 

Snyder,  J.  F.— 1890— ord.  1892. 

Spayth,  Henry  G.— 1812— ord.  1817— delegate  from 
Va.  to  General  Conference,  1815 — member  thereof  six  other 
terms— d.  at  Tiflin,  Ohio,  Sept,  2,  1873. 

Spessard,  David  S. — 1835 — ord.  1837 — married  Martha 
A.  Cline  at  Newtown. 


i 


Spitler,  Jacob  C— 1842— ord.  1845— lived  near  Spring 
Hill— d.  of  cholera  in  St.  Louis,  1855,  on  his  way  to  Kas. 

Stanton,  E.  A.— 1900. 

Station,  George  W.— 1848— trans,  to  Des  Moines  Conf. 
1880. 

Station,  Isaac  K.— 1850— ord.  1858— trans,  to  Rock 
River  Conf.  1862. 

Statton,  John  F.— 1853— trans,  to  Kans.  Conf.  1855. 

Stearn,  Charles  T.— 1862— in  Rock  River  Conf.  1863- 
65 — trans,  to  Penn.  Conf.  1871. 

Stearn,  J.  W.— 1897. 

Steward,  John  G.— 1844— ord.  1847. 

Stickley,  Benjamin— 1840— ord.  1843— tender-hearted, 
but  a  giant  in  strength— arrested  in  Hampshire,  1862  and 
coniined  to  Staunton— released  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus- 
transferred  to  Iowa  Conf.  1863. 

Stinespring,  C.  W^- 1876— ord.  1880— trans,  to   Penn. 

Conf.  1885. 

Stover,  George  W.— 1888— ord.  1896. 

Slrickler,  Daniel— 1800*. 

Sutton,  James — 1828. 

Swartz,  Peter— 1811— ord.  1816. 

Tallhelm,  Henry— 1854— ord.  1856— see  Chap.  XX. 

Thomas,  Michael— 1800— d.  1834  (?)— lived  in  Md. 

Thomas,  P.  H.— 1865— ord.  1865— d.  1889,  aged  72. 

Tobey,  Jonathan— 1835— local— good  preacher  and 
ahead  of  his  time — d.  in  the  West. 

Traub,  Christian— 1821— ord.  1823. 

Troyer,  Daniel — 1 803 — converted  under  Otterbein's 
preaching  at  Antietam,  Md.— moved  to  Ohio,  1806 — d.  1860, 
aged  94. 

Underwood,  I.  M.— 1874— from  Parkersburg  Conf.— 
trans,  to  Kas.  Conf.  1893. 

Umstot,  Zimri- 1874— ord.  1873— local  preacher— d. 
1883,  aged  about  43. 

Walter,  J.  W.— 189^— ord.  1900. 

Walton,  A.  P.— 1898— ord.  1899. 


li(i 


LMTEI)    BHETHHEN 


Warner,   Zebedee— 1855— ord.    185()— b.    in    Pendleton 

Co. — see  Cliap.  XIX. 
•  Weast,  Conrad-"1819     ord,  1822— ruled,  "no  longer  a 

preacher  among  us,"  1837. 

Weidner,  Henry— 1800*— in  conferences  of  1789,  1791. 
Weller,    P.   \V.— 1872— ord.    1875— trans.    1880— d.    at 

Westfield,  III.,  1880. 

Wells,  S.  T.— 1876— from  Des  Moines  Conf.— trans,  to 

E.  Penn.  Conf.  1880. 

White,  J.  P.— 1855 — trans,  to  Parkersburg  Conf.  1857, 

Whitesel,  Peter— 1830— ord.  1832— d.  1837   (?). 

Whitesel,  James  E.— 1872— ord.  1875— d.  at  Church- 
ville,  Va.,  1878,  aged  27. 

Widmeyer,  J.  E.— 1877— ord.  1880— d.  1883,  aged  20. 

Wine,  Sylvester  K.— 1877— ord.  1881— trans,  to  Md. 
Conf.  1887    -trans,  from  Sandusky  Conf.  1896. 

Winegerd,  Jacob— 181 4— ord.   1819— d.   1862,  aged  85. 

Winter.  Thomas— 1801 — trans,  to  Miami  Conf. 

Winters,  David— 1829. 

Winton,  H.  H.  1850 — fine  preacher  -trans.  1862 — join- 
ed Lutheran  Cd.— d.  at  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  1897. 

Witter,  Jacob — 1811 — buried  at  Mt.  Hebron  near 
Keedysville,  Md. — daughter  married  Rev.  J.  M.  Hensley. 

Witter,     Emanuel — 1812 — ord.     1815 — son      of     above 

Jacol). 

Woodyard,  Noah— 1829   -ord.  1831. 

Yerkey,  William — 1856 — trans,  to  Parkersburg  Conf. 
1857. 

Young,  flenry — 1830 — lived  in  Penn.     d.   1867. 

Zahn,  John— 1825— ord.  1827— d.  1881. 

Zahn,  Charles  W.— 1837— ord.  1840— brother  to  John- 
withdrew  irregularly,  1816. 

Zarman,  J. — 1872  trans,  from  Minn.  Conf. — d.  1885, 
aged  about  72. 

Zehrung,  Samuel— 1839— ord.  1842— d.  1849,  aged  37— 
brother  to  Matthew. 

Zentmeyer,  J. — 1818 — lived  near  Chambersburg,  Penn. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

BISHOPS,  MISSIONARIES  AND  OTHERS 

Twelve  bishops  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  have 
been  members  of  this  Conference.  Biographical  sketches 
of  Otterbein,  Boehm,  and  Newcomer  appear  in  other 
chapters.  Henry  Kumler,  William  Brown,  John  Russell, 
and  Jacob  Erb  did  not  live  within  the  present  domain  of 
the  Conference.  Eive  others  were  born  in  Virginia  or  lived 
here.  These  are  (ilossbrenner,  Mark  wood,  Hiestand,  Hott, 
and  Tout. 


Jacob  John  Glossbrenner  was  born  of  Lutheran  parents 
at  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  July  24,  1812.  His  father  was 
killed  by  an  accident  when  the  boy  was  only  seven  years 
old,  and  the  widow  and  the  four  children  were  left  in  very 
straitened  circumstances.  Jacob  was  apprenticed  to  a 
silversmith  to  learn  his  trade,  but  his  conversion  at  the  age 
of  seventeen  changed  the  current  of  his  life.  A  year  later 
he  was  licensed  to  exhort  in  the  United  Brethren  Church. 
A  year  later  yet,— when  he  was  only  nineteen, — he  was  an 
itinerant  preacher.  At  this  time  he  looked  even  more 
youthful  than  his  years  would  indicate,  and  some  people 
wondered  what  the  conference  meant  by  sending  out  boys 
to  i)reach.  But  he  felt  no  doubt  as  to  his  call,  and  his  hear- 
ers at  once  found  the  boy  could  preach  and  preach  well. 

Glossbrenner  in  1831  was  among  the  first,  if  not  the 
very  first,  of  the  United  Brethren  ministers  who  gave  their 
whole  time  to  the  calling,  and  without  having  any  other 
means  of  support.  It  was  still  thought  by  the  people  that 
if  they  fed  and  lodged  the  preacher  and  took  care  of  his 
horse,  they  were  doing  their  full  part.  This  enabled  him  to 
exist,  but  in  any  proper  sense  of  the  term  it  did  not  permit 
him  to  live.  Glossbrenner  was  first  put  on  the  Hagerstown 
circuit  and  next  on  the  Staunton. 


h 


148 


UNITED    RRETHHEX 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


14i> 


Tlic  house  of  Christian  Shiicy,  seven  miles  from  Chureh- 
ville,  was  his  home  while  on  the  Staunton  circuit.  Sluiey 
was  noble,  wealthy,  and  generous,  and  had  a  room  in  liis 
house  known  as  the  preacher's  room.  When  an  itinerant 
had  rested,  he  left  his  soiled  clothes  here,  and  on  his  re- 
turn they  were  ready  to  put  on  at,*ain.  Mrs.  Shuey  was  a 
granddaughter  of  George  A.  Geeting,  one  of  the  three  lead- 
ing founders  of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  She  took  a 
great  interest  in  its  activities,  especially  the  camp  meetings. 
At  this  house  the  young  preacher,  when  not  yet  twenty-one 
vears  of  age  was  married  to  Maria  M.,  a  daughter  of  the 
Shueys.  The  marriage  was  happy  to  each  of  the  couple, 
and  Mrs.  Glossbrenner  often  accompanied  her  husband 
on  his  travels.  A  little  earlier  the  young  man  had  been 
much  inclined  to  wed  one  of  the  Brocks,  a  sister  to  the  wife 
of  George  E.  Deneale.  But  after  becoming  acquainted  with 
the  Shueys  he  changed  his  mind.  When  visiting  at  the 
Brock  home,  some  time  afterward,  he  noticed  that  the  ob- 
ject of  his  earlier  attention  had  a  white-handled  penknife 
that  he  had  given  her.  He  asked  her  to  return  it,  but  she 
replied  that  wherever  the  knife  went  she  went.  Glossbren- 
ner was  glad  to  say  no  more  on  the  subject  of  knives. 

When  Mr.  (dossbrenner  was  but  twentv-two  vears  old 
he  was  chosen  presiding  elder  of  the  Staunton  district. 
He  was  several  times  re-elected,  and  up  to  the  time  that  he 
llrst  became  a  bishoj),  he  had  served  but  four  other  itiner- 
ances, — Shiloh  mission,  and  Frederick,  Bockbridge.  and 
Staunton  circuits.  In  1845  he  was  a  bishop  and  sucli  he 
remained  for  forty  years.  In  1885  he  became  bishop 
emeritus,  being  continued  in  all  his  former  relations  to  [hi 
superintendency,  but  relieved  from  presiding  over  confer- 
ence sessions. 

Bishop  Glossbrenner  was  naturally  conservative.  When 
he  entered  the  Virginia  Conference,  there  were  only  four 
circuits,  eight  itinerants,  and  two  or  three  houses  of  wor- 
ship. Yet  through  half  a  century  he  kept  abreast  with  the 
progress  of  the  Church.  Ever\^  interest  and  every  great 
enterprise  which  grew  up  in  these  fifty  years  found  in  him 


a  friend,  and  though  crowned  with  honor  and  years  he  died 
young  in  heart.  He  was  a  man  of  retiring  modesty,  but 
was  a  systematic  and  logical  thinker  and  profound  theolo- 
gian. As  a  preacher  he  was  bold,  fearless,  tender-hearted, 
persuasive,  earnest,  and  eloquent.  Though  he  made  con- 
version a  direct  aim  in  his  preaching,  he  was  not  emiiuiit- 
ly  a  revivalist.  Beformalion  and  not  denunciation  was 
uppermost  in  his  sermons.  As  a  i)residing  otHcer  he  was 
able,  dignified,  discreet,  and  broad-minded.  He  was  also 
a  good  parliamentarian. 

A  vounger  minister,  in  giving  some  reminiscences,  re- 
marked  that  whenever  he  looked  at  Glossbrenner,  he  fe!t 
insi)ired  to  make  a  better  man  of  himself.  Bishop  Hott 
said  that  Glossbrenner  was  unique,  that  no  other  man  could 
be  like  him,  and  that  no  person  since  Otterbein  had  so 
s!nnii,^!y  imoressed  himself  on  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

The  bishop's  fine  farm  on  Middle  Biver  was  the  aift 
of  his  father-in-law.  In  1855  he  removed  to  a  very  com- 
fortable home  at  Churchville.  In  the  opinion  of  the 
I)ublic  he  was  worth  several  times  the  actual  inventory  of 
.^1  (),()()()  and  some  insurance.  During  his  first  year  as 
bisliop  lie  received  only  $3(^  and  his  traveling  expenses. 
This  stipend  was  increased  to  ip75()  in  1865,  and  later  to 
twice  that  amount. 

Bishop  Glossbrenner  died  at  his  home  at  Churchville, 
January  7,  1887,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four.  He  was  of 
more  than  inedium  hei<iht.  He  had  black  eyes,  dark  com- 
plexion, and  regular  features.  His  manner  was  winning  and 
sincere.  By  adults  he  was  familiary  known  as  "Brother 
Gloss,"  and  by  children  as  '"Uncle  Gloss."  His  voice  was 
distinct,  ringing,  and  melodious.  His  preaching  was  wholly 
in  English.  Even  his  parents  understood  but  little  Ger- 
man. The  bishop  had  three  daughters.  His  only  son  died 
in  infancy. 

Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner  built  himself  very  largely  into 
the  history  of  the  Virginia  Conference,  and  more  is  said  of 
him  in  other  chapters  of  this  book. 


II      i.,|iJiii.||<i»WijjgHH>jMlluHII|ni||MHIW 


150 


UiNlTEI)    BHETHHHX 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


151 


I 


Jacob  Markvvood  was  born  at  Chariestown,  West  Vir- 
tiinia,  December  25,  1818.  His  brotber  was  a  Presbyterian. 
Wbeii  thirteen  years  old,  and  an  apprentice  in  a  woolen 
factory,  he  was  converted.  He  soon  felt  it  his  duty  to 
l)reach,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  was  licensed  to  exhort. 
A  few  months  later  he  was  placed  on  Hagerstown  circuit. 
His  next  Held  was  the  Soutli  Branch.  In  1843  he  was  a 
presiding  elder,  and  beginning  with  1845  was  a  delegate 
to  every  General  Conference.  In  18()1  he  was  elected  bishop 
and  held  this  place  eight  years.  As  a  preacher,  Bishof) 
Markwood  was  fervent  and  elcxjuent.  He  was  an  indefatig- 
able worker,  and  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  the 
United  Brethren  Church  has  produced.  In  personal  ap- 
j)ea ranee  he  was  dark,  thin,  and  wiry,  and  he  was  too  heed- 
less of  his  physical  welfare.  He  died  at  Luray,  Virginia 
in  1873. 

.James  \V.  Hott,  a  son  of  Jacob  F.  Hott,  was  born 
November  15,  1844,  was  converted  at  the  age  of  thirteen, 
and  three  years  later  was  licensed  to  preach.  In  1802, 
whm  but  eigliteen  years  old,  he  entered  the  Virginia  Con- 
ference, and  was  ordained  in  18()5.  During  the  eleven 
years  that  he  was  a  member  of  the  conference,  his  tields 
were  Winchester,  Martinsburg,  Woodstock,  Churchville, 
Boonsboro,  and  Hagerstown.  He  was  very  successful,  sev- 
eral hundred  conversions  taking  place  under  his  ministry. 

In  the  General  Conference  of  1869  he  was  the  youngest 
delegate,  being  twentv-four  years  of  age.  At  the  next  Gen- 
<  ral  Conference,  of  which  he  was  likewise  a  member,  he 
was  chosen  treasurer  of  its  Missionary  Society.  In  1877 
he  became  editor  of  the  Religious  Telescope,  and  held  this 
very  imi)ortant  position  twelve  years.  This  period  was  a 
critical  time  in  the  history  of  the  Church,  yet  he  filled  the 
plc:ce  with  great  tact  and  acceptability. 

In  1881  Dr.  Hott  was  chosen  as  a  delegate  to  the  Metho- 
dist Ecumenical  Conference  at  London.  He  extended  his 
visit  to  the  f^astern  Continent,  and  his  "Journeyings  in  the 
Old  World"  is  one  of  the  best  books  of  its  kind  ever  writ- 


ten. In  1889  he  was  elected  bishop  and  for  twelve  years 
he  filled  this  place  with  credit  to  himself  and  the  church. 
In  1894  he  made  an  official  visit  to  the  mission  fields  in 
(iermanv  and  Africa.  This  seemed  to  fire  his  zeal  in  the 
cause  of  missions. 

Although  Bishop  Hott  was  a  self-made  man,  his  was  a 
well-stored  and  cultured  mind,  and  he  was  an  eloquent 
speaker.  The  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  was  conferred 
on  hmi  by  two  colleges,  and  that  of  doctor  of  laws  by  Lane 
University. 

Dr.  Hott  was  recognized  within  and  without  his  church 
as  an  able  preacher,  strong  writer,  an  efficient  presiding 
officer,  and  a  safe  counselor.  His  superior  natural  gifts 
^md  his  positive  convictions,  sharpened  by  lifelong  study, 
made  him  a  leader.  He  was  at  the  front  in  every  move- 
ment looking  to  the  good  of  the  Church  and  the  salvation 
of  men.  His  deej)  and  genuine  interest  in  young  |)eople 
made  him  a  friend  of  the  United  Brethren  schools  and  the 
Christian  societies  of  the  young  folks.  He  possessed  an  un- 
usual personal  charm.  His  conversational  power,  his 
urbanitv  of  manner,  his  warm  affabilitv,  and  his  genuine 
hospitality  were  attractive  elements  of  his  character.  His 
ceaseless  toil  was  remarkable,  and  undoubtedly  contributed 
to  cut  him  off  at  what  seemed  a  premature  age. 

Bishop  Hott  died  January  9,  1902  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
seven  years.  His  first  wife  was  Martha  A.  Ramey  of  Fred- 
erick County,  Virginia.  Their  children  were  four.  He  was 
married  a  second  time  to  Marie  Shank  of  Ohio. 


* 


Henry  H.  Font  was  born  at  Maysville,  West  Virginia, 
October  18,  1860,  being  a  son  of  Henry  and  Susan  (Powell) 
F'out.  He  was  educated  at  Shenandoah  Institute  and 
Union  Theological  Seminary.  He  was  licensed  in  1885, 
and  in  this  conference  served  Frederick  (Md.),  Keedysvillr, 
Fldinburg,  and  W^illiamsport.  He  then  joined  the  Miami 
Conference,  in  which  he  was  a  presiding  elder.  During 
e  next  twelve  vears  he  was  editor  of  the  Sundav  school 


« 


1  "•> 


rXITEI)    BHETHHEX 


pnpcrs  of  tlie  Church,  and  in  1913  he  became  a  bishop  with 
his  residence  at  Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

Julius  K.  P\)ut,  a  son  of  Henry  Fout,  was  born  at  Mays- 
ville.  West  Virginia,  in  1870,  and  was  graduated  from  Shen- 
andoah Seminary  in  1893,  in  which  year  he  was  ordained. 
His  only  field  in  the  Virginia  Conference  territory  was 
Franklin  circuit.  In  the  first  seven  years  of  his  ministry, 
he  received  287  members.  After  rising  to  high  position  in 
tht^  activities  of  the  Church,  Dr.  Font  became  General 
Manaiier  of  l^onebrake  Theological  Seminarv,  Davton,  Ohio. 


Sanuiel  Hiestand,  ninth  bishop  of  the  United  Hretfiren 
Church,  was  born  in  Page  county,  Virginia,  March  3,  1781. 
His  {>a rents  were  Moravians.  About  1804  he  went  to  Ohio, 
and  through  the  influence  of  George  Henedum  was  roused 
from  a  backslidden  state,  becoming  associated  with  him 
as  an  evangelist.  In  1810  he  helped  to  organize  the  Miami 
Conierence,  the  first  daughter  conference  of  the  Church. 
He  was  a  faithful  itinerant  and  became  bisho])  in  1833. 
Bishojj  Hiestand  was  a  man  of  estimable  social  qualities. 
As  an  English  scholar  he  was  indifl'erent,  but  he  was  well 
read  in  the  German.  He  died  in  Fairfield  county,  Ohio, 
in  1838. 


Zebetlee  Warner  was  born  in  the  west  of  Pendleton 
comity.  West  Virginia,  February  28,  1833,  and  died  in 
Nebraska,  January  24,  1888.  He  joined  the  United  Breth- 
ren Church  in  1850.  Feeling  the  need  of  a  better  education 
than  he  could  secure  in  his  native  county,  he  went  the  fol- 
lowing vear  to  the  Northwestern  Academv  at  Clarksburg, 
W.  Va.  He  arrived  there  without  any  money,  yet  he  re- 
mained one  vear,  earning  his  board  and  tuition  bv  manual 
labor.  A  student  he  remained  all  his  life.  In  1853  he  was 
licensed  as  a  preacher,  and  three  years  later  was  sent  to 
the  extreme  west  of  Virginia.  In  1858  he  helped  to 
organize  the  Parkersburg  Conference,  this  being  done  in 
Tavior  countv,   and   from    the   verv  first    he   was  a    lead t 


CHIHCH    HISTOHY 


153 


m  it.  In  the  new  conference  his  first  charge  was  Taylor 
circuit,  which  took  in  parts  of  five  counties.  His  salary 
was  $100,  and  out  of  this  he  had  to  pay  rent  on  a  little  log 
cabin  in  the  outskirts  of  Philippi.  At  times  the  family 
faced  want.  P'rom  1802  to  1809  he  was  a  presiding  elder. 
Whether  as  pastor  or  elder,  Mr.  Warner  had  very  unusual 
courage  and  endurance  and  neglected  no  duty.  He  made 
a  specialty  of  "catching  and  training"  young  men.  For 
this  purpose  he  established  a  theological  institute  for  the 
benefit  of  young  candidates  for  the  ministry  who  were 
without  a  sufficient  education,  and  he  taught  this  school 
without  compensation.  His  pastorate  at  Parkersburg, — 
1869  to  1880, — was  when  it  closed  the  longest  known  in 
the  history  of  the  Church.  He  was  Missionary  Secretary, 
1880-87.  In  1878  Mr.  Warner  was  made  a  Doctor  of  Divin- 
ity by  Otterbein  University.  He  was  one  of  the  greatest 
j)ul|»it  orators  in  the  Church,  a  great  advocate  of  temper- 
ance, and  he  helped  to  change  the  attitude  of  his  Church 
on  [hv  ([uestion  of  secret  orders. 


m 


Aljiier  Corbin  was  born  in  Hampshire  county  in  1823, 
but  went  to  Iowa  in  1844,  where  he  was  soon  licensed. 
About  1818  he  was  made  a  frontier  missionary.  In  this 
capacity  his  labors  were  of  the  most  strenuous  character. 
There  were  times  when  he  could  cross  a  river  only  by 
fastening  several  logs  together  and  making  his  horse  swim. 
He  died  in  1802. 

John  W.  Fulkerson  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1822,  and  was  still  living  in  1900.  He  was  a  mem- 
b(  r  of  the  N'irginia  Conference  from  1839  to  1852.  In 
1850  he  went  to  Minnesota  as  a  missionary,  and  held  his 
first  meeting  as  such  on  the  site  of  Eyota.  The  people  on 
that  frontier  were  living  in  log  cabins,  board  shacks,  and 
sod  liouses.  What  little  money  they  brought  with  them 
had  been  spent  in  the  long  winter  that  followed.  Living 
\vas  very  high  and  potatoes  could  not  be  had  at  any  price. 


.K 


ff' 


_JWM' 


.y.   »  ini|ii|,ii|l|B.iiij 


154 


UNITED    BHETHHEN 


Snow  covered  the  j^round  to  a  depth  of  five  feet.  Mr.  Fiilk- 
erson  was  a  student  of  human  nature  and  learned  to  adapt 
himself  to  his  environments.  When  he  began  his  minis- 
trv,  his  mother  had  given  him  this  advice:  '*John,  vour  rest 
must  be  in  labor.  Greet  all  with  a  smile.  Make  your  back 
fit  anvbodv's  bed.  Hv  vour  social  life  attract  the  people, 
and  by  your  religious  life  save  them."  The  first  session  of 
the  Minnesota  Conference  was  held  in  1857,  himself,  J. 
Haney,  and  two  others  comprising  the  preachers.  The 
membershij)  was  247.  The  first  year  he  had  .^188.2()  from 
the  General  Board. 

********* 

John  C.  McNamar,  born  in  Virginia  in  1779,  was  the 
first  Knglish-sj)eaking  i)reacher  of  the  United  Hrethren.  He 
joined  the  Miami  Conference  in  1813,  and  distinguished 
himself  in  the  home  missionary  field.  Within  six  more 
years  eight  more  Knglish-speaking  ministers  had  leaned 
that  conference. 

********* 

A.  S.  Sellers  was  born  in  Rockingham  county  in  1808. 
He  was  converted  at  a  camp  meeting  in  Harrison  county, 
Indiana,  in  1830  and  on  that  ver>'  spot  preached  his  first 
sermon.  In  1836  he  joined  Wabash  Conference.  Three 
years  later  he  moved  into  Iowa,  and  in  that  state  lit  ''per- 
haps endured  more  hardships  and  made  greater  sacrifices 
to  build  up  the  Church"  than  any  other  missionary.  When 
a  presiding  elder  in  1850,  he  traveled  900  miles  to  make 
one  round  on  his  circuit,  encountering  frequent  peril  from 
storm  and  flood.    Up  to  1857  he  had  received  only  is521).37. 

********* 

Walton  C.  Smith  was  born  near  Winchester  in  1822  and 
died  at  Westfield,  Illinois  in  1905.  He  went  West  in  1834 
and  joined  the  Wabash  Conference  in  1848.  He  was  a 
member  of  eight  General  Conferences,  and  is  known  as 
the  "Father  of  Westfield  College." 


CHAPTER  XX 
BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  MINISTERS 

Some  of  these  sketches  are  compiled  from  letters  writ- 
ten about  1900.  There  has  been  no  opportunity  to  bring 
them  all  up  to  date. 

AMBROSE:  William  Ambrose  was  born  in  Maryland 
in  1770,  but  lived  on  Sleepy  Creek,  W.  Va.,  from  about 
1789  until  1815,  when  he  removed  to  Highland  county,  0., 
where  he  died  in  1850.  He  was  licensed  in  1792  ard  ordain- 
ed in  1808.  In  1812  he  was  with  Bishop  Newcomer  during 
an  extended  tour  in  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  and 
Kentucky.  After  going  to  Ohio  he  became  a  member  of 
the  Scioto  Conference.  A  revival  in  his  neighborhood  in 
1820  resulted  in  a  strong  church  organization.  The  wife 
of  Mr.  Ambrose  was  a  daughter  of  Christian  Crum.  Two 
of  his  sons  became  members  of  the  Ilhnois  Conference. 

BAUGHER:  Solomon  L.  Baugher  was  born  at  Swift 
Run,  Va.,  licensed  in  1895,  ordained  in  1898,  and  has  been 
in  the  itineracy  24  years,  serving  Fulton,  Conshohocken, 
(Pa.),  Portland,  (Ind.),  Big  Pool,  Pleasant  Valley,  Edin- 
burg.  While  at  Conshohocken,  234  were  received  into 
church  membership,  and  455  were  enrolled  in  the  Sunday 
School. 

BEALE:  Joseph  R.  Beale,  son  of  Dr.  George  F.  and 
Mary  (Dickenson)  Beale,  was  born  near  Pamplin's  Depot, 
Va.,  Oct.  13,  1869,  and  was  educated  at  Lafayette  College 
and  Union  Theological  Seminary  (New  York  City).  He 
was  licensed  in  1897  and  ordained  in  1900.  Mr.  Beale  was 
12  years  a  Presbyterian  minister  in  New  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, New^  Jersey,  and  Nebraska.  He  joined  the  United 
Brethren  Church  in  1916,  and  was  two  years  on  the  West 
Frederick  charge.  He  had  taught  several  years  before  join- 
ing the  teaching  stall'  of  the  Shenandoah  Collegiate  Insti- 
tute in  December,  1917. 


15G 


UNITED    BHF:TfIREN 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


157 


BERRY:    William  R.  Berry,  second  son   of  Archibald 
and  Elizabeth  Berry,  was  born  near  Mount  Clinton    Rock- 
ingham county,  Virginia,  and  died  at  Dayton,  July  M)   l.)(K). 
In   1870  he  was  converted  at  a  camp   meetmg  held   near 
Singer's  (Hen.     He  was  licensed  in   1S71  and  ordamed   m 
1881      In  1878  he  finished  a  two  years'  course  of  study  m 
the  Institute  at  Davton.     Mr.  Berry  was  in   the   mmistry 
twentv-eight   years,   serying   Pleasant   Valley,   New   Creek, 
South' Branch,  Mechanicstown,  Hagerstown  circuit,  Berke- 
ley   Sprinas,   Lacey    Springs,   Singers    Glen,   Dayton,   and 
Frederick  circuit.     Ill  health  compelled  him  to  locate,  hi:t 
he  liyed  only  a  few  weeks  in  a  home  of  his  own.    Mr.  Berry 
was  a  faithful  minister,  and  few  members  of  the  Virgini-^ 
Conference  were  more  highly  esteemed.     In   1882  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Margaret  Taylor  of  Hampshire  County. 

BOVEV:  Henry  A.  Boycy  was  born  near  Leitersburg, 
Maryland,  in  1831, \uui  was  converted  on  his  twenty-second 
birthday.  He  was  licensed  in  1859,  and  in  18()1  was  assigned 
to  Hiiih'kmd  circuit.  In  1870-73  he  was  presiding  elder  of 
Hai:erst()wn  district.  In  1877  he  removed  to  Westerville, 
Ohio,  where  three  sons  and  three  daughters  graduated 
from  Otterbein  University.  Mr.  Bovey  was  a  son  of  Adam 
I.  Bovey,  an  active  local  preacher  who  preached  in  both 
Germaii  and  English.  Jacob  A.  Bovey  was  another  son. 
Still  another  was  Daniel  R.,  who  did  not  enter  the  ministry 
until  about  50  years  of  age. 

BRANE:  Commodore  I.  B.  Brane  was  born  in  Fred- 
erick, Maryland,  Christmas  Day,  1818.  His  father  was  poor 
and  he  had  to  help  support  himself.  During  the  war  he 
worked  in  the  Bureau  of  Printing  and  Engraving  at 
Washington.  He  was  converted  in  1870,  licensed  1872,  and 
ordained  1870.  His  fields  in  this  conference  territory  were 
Potomac  mission.  New  Germany,  Berkeley  Springs,  and 
Dayton.  He  was  presiding  elder  of  the  Shenandoah  dis- 
trict, 1885,  and  in  1801  delegate  to  the  Methodist  Ecumeni- 
cal Conference.  Mr.  Brane  has  held  other  important  posi- 
tions in  the  Church,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  the 
Washington   correspondent   of   the   "Religious   Telescope." 


Witliin  30  years  of  ministerial  work  he  received  about 
1000  members  into  the  church.  Dr.  Brane  died  April  7th, 
1020,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  was  serving  as  associate 
editor  of  the  "Telescope." 

BRASHEAR:  Theodore  F.  Brashear,  born  about  1820, 
learneti  the  trade  of  shoemaker.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
VirL^inia  Conference  from  1848  until  1861,  when  he  was 
sent  to  Elkhorn  circuit  in  the  Rock  River  Conference.  His 
first  work  in  the  Virginia  Conference  was  as  a  junior  on  the 
Hagerstown  circuit.  He  was  scrupulously  honest,  thor- 
oughly conscientious,  and  deeply  sincere.  His  retentive 
nuiiiorv  enabled  him  to  improve  rapidly,  both  in  preach- 
ing and  in  general  knowledge.  He  served  some  of  the  best 
charges  in  Iowa,  and  was  many  years  a  presiding  elder. 
Mr.  Brashear  was  an  able  preacher,  but  from  his  unsuspect- 
ing nature  he  could  not  see  the  point  of  a  joke  soon  enougii 
to  (lodge  it,  and  in  consequence  was  often  victimized.  It 
is  said  of  him  that  while  attending  a  quarterly  meeting  and 
staying  Saturday  night  at  the  home  of  the  steward  of  the 
church,  he  felt  the  need  of  having  something  more  under 
his  head.  So  he  made  a  search  in  the  darkness  and  used 
something  he  found  hanging  on  the  wall.  After  break- 
fast the  two  men  started  to  church,  taking  a  part  of  the 
elements  with  them  and  leaving  the  rest  for  the  housewife 
to  bring  later.  She  failed  to  come  because  she  could  not 
find  the  dress  she  wished  to  wear,  and  believed  some  rival 
had  stolen  it.  When  it  was  too  late  to  go  to  meeting  she 
attended  to  the  house  work,  and  found  the  dress  under 
the  preacher's  pillow.  After  leaving  Virginia  Mr.  Brashear 
lived  mainly  at  Vinton,  Benton  county,  but  .died  in 
Nebraska,  whither  he  had  removed. 

I^RIDGERS:  Lucius  Cary  Bridgers  was  born  in 
Northamton  county,  N.  C,  and  was  educated  at  the  Shen- 
ando:ih  Collegiate  Institute.  He  was  converted  in  1897  and 
licensed  in  1018.     He  has  been  serving  Ridgley  five  years. 

P>R1LL:  James  William  Brill  was  born  near  Capon 
Sj) rings,  W.  Va.,  Dec.  13,  1859,  and  is  a  son  of  John  A.  and 


158 


UNlTP:n    BRETHREN 


» 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


159 


Eliza  l^rill.  Hv  was  licensed  in  189  4,  ordained  in  11H)1, 
and  has  been  an  itinerant  25  years.  He  has  served  [.ost 
River,  Pendleton,  East  Rockingham,  Prince  William,  and 
Bayard. 

RRUNK:  Jacob  Hrunk,  a  Mennonite  and  the  ancest(jr 
of  the  Rrunk  family,  came  in  1795,  from  Maryland  and  set- 
tled near  Pennington's  store  in  Frederick  county.  Bishoj) 
Newcomer  made  his  home  a  stopping  place.  George 
Brunk,  a  grandson,  lived  on  Brunk's  hill  on  the  road  from 
Brock's  Gap  to  Broadway. 

BRINK:  John  Henrv  Brunk,  son  of  Hugh  A.  and  Nancv 
(Heatwole)  Brunk,  was  born  in  a  log  house  seven  miles 
west  of  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  April  3,  1861.  His  education 
was  gained  in  the  state  normal  schools.  He  was  converted 
in  1879,  licensed  the  same  year,  ordained  in  1900,  and  lias 
been  an  itinerant  22  years.  His  charges  have  been  New 
Creek,  Elkton,  Singers  Glen,  Keyser,  Harrisonburg,  and 
Berkeley  Springs.  Mr.  Brunk  is  a  trustee  of  Lebanon  \'a!- 
ley  College,  which  gave  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity  in  1917,  and  was  a  member  of  the  General  Con- 
ferences of  1913,  1917,  and  1921.  He  built  churches  at 
Antioch,  Swift  Run,  Mount  Hebron,  and  Singer's  Glen,  and 
a  parsonage  at  Berkeley  Springs.  He  began  life  as  a  car- 
penter, and  taught  17  years  in  the  i)ublic  schools.  L'ntil 
the  age  of  eighteen  he  was  a  Mennonite. 

BURGESS:  George  Burgess  was  born  at  Laurel  Dale, 
Mineral  county,  \V.  Va.,  October  17,  1861,  being  a  son  of 
Edwin  and  Ellen  Burgess.  He  was  educated  in  the  free 
schools,  and  in  1879  was  converted  under  the  preaching  of 
Jacob  Roderick.  He  was  licensed  at  Lacey  Springs  and 
ordained  at  Keyser.  His  charges  have  been  Mooretleld, 
South  Branch,  New  Creek,  and  Elk  Garden.  Mr.  Burgess 
spent  two  years  as  an  evangelist. 

BIRTNER:  Henry  Burtner  was  born  in  1800  in  Cum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Dayton  in  1843, 
settling  on  a  fine  farm  close  to  the  southwest  border  of  the 
town.    He  entered  conference  in  1820,  but  as  his  educatlo:i 


was  wholly  in  German,  he  at  length  retired  from  active 
work  in  the  ministry.  Mr.  Burtner  was  a  prosperous 
farmer  and  a  man  of  much  business  abilitv.  He  was  a 
man  of  more  than  medium  size,  and  had  a  fine  countenance 
and  a  very  penetrating  eye.  In  his  home  he  was  pleasant 
and  very  hospitable.  His  preaching  was  of  depth  and 
power.     He  died  at  Dayton  in  1857. 

BURTNER:  William  H.  Burtner  was  a  son  of  the  Rev. 
Hem^y  Burtner,  and  came  to  Dayton,  Virginia  with  his 
father.  He  was  converted  early  in  life  and  gave  the  church 
of  his  choice  a  loyal  support.  He  was  progressive  and  ever 
ready  to  aid  any  worthy  enterprise.  Mr.  Burtner  was  never 
an  itinerant,  yet  did  much  preaching,  especially  in  revivals. 
During  a  number  of  years  he  was  an  active  trustee  of  Shen- 
andoah Institute.  His  home  was  a  Christian  home.  At 
the  time  of  his  death,  at  his  home  near  Mount  Clinton  in 
Rockingham,  May  25,  1894,  nine  of  his  twelve  children 
were  living  and  were  members  of  the  church.  Three  of 
them  were  in  the  active  ministry.  These  were  L.  ().  Burt- 
ner, superintendent  of  our  church  on  the  west  coast  of 
Africa,  N.  \V.  Burtner,  pastor  at  Muscatine,  Iowa,  and  O. 
\V.  Burtner  of  the   Virginia  Conference. 

BURTNER:  Luther  O.  Burtner,  a  son  of  William  H. 
Burtner  was  born  at  Dayton,  Va.,  December  9,  1858.  He 
was  a  student  at  Union  Biblical  Seminary,  1885-87,  joined 
conference,  1882,  and  was  ordained  1889.  He  preached  at 
Keedysville  and  Erederick  before  going  to  Africa  as  a  mis- 
sionary, where  he  spent  over  six  3Tars.  After  his  return 
he  was  presiding  elder  of  Maryland  Conference. 

BURTNER:  Otto  W.  Burtner  was  born  at  Mount  Clin- 
ton, Virginia,  in  1873.  He  was  licensed  in  1893,  and  during 
the  next  six  years  served  five  charges,  receiving  157  mem- 
bers into  the  church. 

BYRD:  Rudolph  Byrd  was  born  near  Ottobine,  Rock- 
ingham county,  in  1859,  and  was  licensed  in  1884.  During 
the  next  16  years  he  was  on  the  Front  Royal,  Dayton,  Edin- 
burg,    Toms    Brook,    Berkeley    Springs,    Myers ville,    and 


If.O 


I'NITED    RHETHREN 


HaL'erstown  ciuirges.    In  this  time  he  built  one  ehurch  and 
one  parsonai^e,  and  received  o75  into  the  churcii. 

CHILDRKSS:  W.  Loniax  Childress,  born  in  Roanoke 
county,  Viruinia,  in  1867,  was  converted  while  studying 
law  in  the  citv  of  Roanoke.  He  first  joined  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  and  served  three  chari^es  therein,  be« 
sides  being  conference  evangelist.  In  1894  he  joined  the 
Virginia  Conference,  and  served  Dayton  circuit,  Lacey 
Spring,  Berkeley  Springs,  and  Rohrersville.  In  1895  he  was 
married  to  a  daughter  of  William  Rurtner  and  has  several 
children.  Mr.  Childress  has  a  poetic  gift  anci  is  the  author 
(>f  several  volumes  of  verse. 

CLARY:  William  H.  Clary  was  born  in  Frederick 
county,  Maryland,  July  22,  1834,  and  died  at  Deer  Park  m 
the  same  state,  October  29,  1913.  He  was  converted  m 
1865,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Virginia  Conierence  in  18/0. 
After  serving  in  a  local  capacity  he  was  sent  to  the  Deer 
Park  charge  in  1879.  His  subsequent  circuits  were  West- 
ernport,  Jones  Springs,  Toms  Brook,  and  Elk  Garden.  Dr- 
spite  limited  educational  advantages,  Mr.  Clary  was  a  good 
preacher  and  very  successful  evangelist.  He  always  saw 
the  bright  side  of^  life,  had  an  active  mind,  and  possessed 
n  determined  will  to  succeed.  His  was  the  happy  faculty 
of  adapting  himself  to  circumstances  and  making  friends 
wherever  lie  went.  He  was  married  in  1863  to  Eliza  M. 
Wheat  of  Morgan  county.  West  Virginia,  and  had  ten  chil- 
dren. In  15  years  he  built  two  churches  and  received  (>2() 
members. 

CLIFFORD:  Theodore  K.  Clifford  was  a  free-i)()r!i 
negro  who  ran  awav  from  home  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and 
soon  afterward  enlisted  in  the  regular  army  of  the  United 
States  After  the  close  of  the  war  between  North  and 
South,  he  returned  to  Hardy  county.  West  Virginia,  and 
l)reached  eleven  years  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
But  having  lived  among  United  Brethren  people,  and, 
realizing  the  pressing  claims  of  the  United  Brethren  CliLrch 
upon  his  race,  he  joined  the  Virginia  Conference  in  1887. 


CHURCH    HISTOin 


IGl 


and  served  its  freedmen's  mission  until  the  day  of  his 
(kath.  He  was  a  man  above  the  average  of  his  race,  and 
so  deported  himself  as  to  win  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
the  best  people  of  both  colors.  His  upright  life  was  never 
cpiestioned,  and  he  manifested  his  appreciation  of  genuine 
kindness  in  every  i)roper  way.  He  was  a  good  preacher 
and  singer.  He  always  attended  the  sessions  of  the  confer- 
ence, but  never  took  part  in  its  discussions  unless  called 
upon.  His  people  were  poor  and  backward,  and  his  work 
required  long  drives  to  sparsely  settled  localities.  Mr. 
Clitlord  died  in  Harrisonburg,  March  16,  1908,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-three,  having  been  pastor  of  the  mission  twenty- 
five  years.  He  had  eight  children  and  one  of  his  sons  took 
up  his  work. 

COLLIS:  Joseph  Romain  Collis,  son  of  John  M.  and 
Lucy  M.  Collis,  was  born  in  Berkeley  county,  W.  Va., 
August  1,  1887.  He  was  educated  at  the  Shenandoah  Col- 
legFate  Institute,  converted  in  1903,  and  licensed  in  1912. 
He  has  preached  six  years  at  Reliance  and  Singer's  (den. 

COURSEY:  \Villiam  R.  Coursey  was  born  in  Rocking- 
ham county  and  joined  the  Virginia  Conference  in  1833. 
He  preached  in  Virginia,  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  and 
Illinois.  He  died  in  Maryland  while  revisiting  the  East, 
July  2,  1881.  As  circuit  preacher  and  presiding  elder  he 
wrought  great  good  in  the  bounds  of  this  conference.  In 
1841  and  again  in  1849  he  was  a  member  of  the  General 
Conference!  As  a  i)reacher,  Mr.  Coursey  was  eminently 
clear,  logical,  and  convincing,  kind,  gentle,  and  enticing. 
His  musical  voice,  and  his  countenance,  such  as  one  loved 
to  look  upon,  gave  a  charm  to  his  pulpit  ministrations. 

CRABILL:  Samuel  A.  Crabill,  a  son  of  Samuel  and 
Mary  Crabill,  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  in  18()2, 
and  was  licensed  in  1888.  His  early  pastorates  were  Pen- 
dleton, Toms  Brook,  and  Inwood. 

CROWELL:  Charles  Henry  Crowell,  son  of  John  and 
Hester  J.  Crowell,  was  born  in  Clearfield  county.  Pa., 
May  14,  1850.    He  was  educated  in  an  academy  at  Church- 


162 


UNITED    BHETHHEN 


ville,  Va.,  was  converted  in  18()8,  licensed  in  1<S74,  and 
ordained  in  1(S82.  He  has  been  an  itinerant  U)  years,  serv- 
ing Rockbridge,  Page  Valley,  Augusta,  Myersville,  Boons- 
boro,  FLdinburg,  Frederick,  Harrisonburg  and  Dayton, 
Roanoke,  Berkeley  Springs,  Lacey  Springs,  and  Great 
Gacapon.  Mr.  Crowell  was  four  years  Presiding  Elder  of 
Winchester  District. 

CI  PP:  N.  F.  A.  Cupp,  son  of  Daniel  and  Rebecca  Cupp, 
Avas  born  near  Mount  Sidney,  Va.,  September  22,  18()2, 
was  a  Lutheran  until  the  age  of  fourteen,  when  he  joined 
the  United  Brethren.  He  was  licensed  in  1885,  ordained 
in  1887,  and  has  been  an  itinerant  33  years,  serving  Singer's 
Glen,  South  Branch,  Winchester,  Frederick,  Berkeley 
Springs,  Edinburg,  Lacey  Springs,  Elkton,  Shenandoah 
City,  Petersburg  and  Greensburg. 

DAWSON:  S.  D.  Dawson  was  born  near  Keyser,  West 
Virginia,  in  1861,  and  was  licensed  in  18()2.  His  relation 
to  the  conference  prior  to  1900  was  local. 

DAY:  xVlbert  Day  was  born  and  converted  in  Pendle- 
ton county.  West  Virginia.  He  was  licensed  in  1883  and 
traveled  the  North  Fork  mission  for  $50  a  year,  but  con- 
sidered the  exi)erience  worth  many  times  the  money.  Three 
years  later  he  did  very  successful  work  on  the  Alleghany 
circuit,  receiving  four  times  his  first  salary.  In  1892  he 
joined  the  Huntington  Presbytery,  passing  a  most  rigid 
examination,  and  was  pastor  at  Mannington,  West  Vir- 
ginia, and  Marietta,  Ohio.  By  1900  he  had  been  in  synod 
and  General  Assembly,  acting  as  moderator  in  some  of  the 
sessions  of  the  latter.     Mr.  Day  had  four  children. 

DONOVAN:  John  D.  Donovan  was  born  of  religious 
parents  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  May  10,  1855. 
His  call  to  the  ministry  was  clear,  and  he  entered  it  in  1877, 
being  ordained  in  1881.  His  pastorates  were  Bloomery, 
Dayton  circuit,  Boonsboro,  Martinsburg,  Berkeley  Springs, 
Lacey  Springs,  Singers  Glen,  and  Staunton  mission.  Also, 
he  was  seven  years  presiding  elder  of  the  Winchester  dis- 
trict, and  was  twice  in  General  Conference.     Mr.  Donovan 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


163 


easily  made  friends,  and  among  the  railroad  men  he  was  a 
great  favorite.  He  was  an  interesting  preacher  and  untiring 
pastor,  and  a  most  successful  evangelist.  During  the  last 
months  of  his  life,  true  to  his  wish  to  help  others,  he  cared 
for  an  aged  blind  man  in  whose  home  he  lived  in  Martins- 
burg, West  Virginia,  and  where  he  died  April  22,  1905.  His 
wife  was  Miss  Lillian  V.  Croft,  of  Staunton.  He  had  an 
only  son. 

EVERS:  Abram  M.  Evers  was  born  near  Port  Republic, 
Virginia,  in  1837,  and  was  converted  in  1855.  His  circuits 
to  1900  were  South  Branch,  Rockbridge,  Keezletown, 
Boonsboro,  Myersville,  Hagerstown,  Frederick,  Martins- 
burg, and  Churchville.  After  1887  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Maryland  Conference.  In  this  i)eriod  he  was  seven 
years  presiding  elder,  three  times  a  delegate  to  the  General 
Conference,  and  built  four  churches.  A  daughter  married 
the  Rev.  D.  E.  Burtner  of  the  Congregationalist  Church. 

EWING:  William  O.  Ewing  was  born  July  13,  18()0, 
and  died  at  Churchville,  October  15,  1898.  He  joined  the 
church  when  fourteen  years  old  and  the  conference  when 
twenty-three.  His  pastorates  were  Winchester,  Vancleaves- 
ville.  Singers  Glen,  Cross  Keys,  Dayton,  and  Churchville. 

FADELEY:  Green  B.  Fadeley,  son  of  Abraham  Fade- 
ley,  was  born  at  Columbia  Furnace,  Shenandoah  county, 
Virginia,  March  3,  1859.  He  was  converted  at  an  early 
age  and  entered  the  Virginia  Conference  in  1886,  his  early 
pastorates  being  Bloomery,  Elkton,  Shenandoah,  and  Lacey 
Spring.  In  these  fifteen  years  he  built  four  churches,  com- 
pleted two  parsonages,  and  received  549  members  into  the 
church.  He  was  married  to  Charlotte  Shipp  in  1878  and 
liad  seven  children.  Mr.  Fadeley  has  made  a  record  as  a 
good  preacher,  an  industrious  worker,  a  man  loyal  to  his 
friends,  who  hold  him  in  high  esteem. 

FEASTER:  Thomas  J.  Feaster  was  born  near  Mays- 
ville.  West  Virginia,  November  23,  1864,  and  died  in  the 
parsonage  at  Pleasant  Valley,  Virginia,  August  20,  1906. 
His  i)arents  were  rehgious  and  he  was  converted  at  the  age 


104 


UNITED    RHETHHEN 


CHURCH    HISTOKV 


105 


of  sixteen.  Three  years  later  he  was  licensed  to  preach 
and  a  year  later  yet  he  bei^an  teaching  in  the  pubhc  schools 
of  Grant  county.  In  1898  he  entered  the  Virginia  Confer- 
(  nee  and  was  ordained  in  1901.  His  circuits  were  Pendle- 
ton, West  Frederick,  Toms  Brook,  and  Pleasant  Valley. 
He  was  one  of  the  most  i)romising  young  men  of  the  con- 
ference; a  forcible  preacher,  an  earnest  Christian  worker, 
and  successful  evangelist.  In  1889  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Alverda  Hott.     Their  children  were  four. 

FORD:  John  Henry  F^)rd  was  born  in  Ireland  in  18B9, 
and  was  educated  at  Dundee,  Scotland.  He  was  converted 
in  1888,  licensed  in  1903,  and  ordained  in  1912.  During 
eleven  years  he  has  served  Edinburg,  Churchville,  Martins- 
bura,  and  Roanoke.  Before  joining  the  Virginia  Confer- 
ence,  Mr.  Ford  served  two  charges  in  Kansas. 

FRHKD:  A.  1).  Freed,  son  of  the  Rev.  J.  D.  Freed,  also 
(^f  the  Virginia  Conference,  was  born  October  15,  1850.  and 
died  in  October,  1877.  He  was  converted  in  1867,  and 
felt  a  call  to  i)reach,  yet  his  ditlidence  and  a  sense  of  being 
unworthy  led  him  for  a  long  while  to  keep  back  his  con- 
victions from  others.  After  two  terms  in  Lebanon  Valley, 
where  he  made  commendable  progress  and  occasionally 
preached,  he  was  taken  into  conference,  but  the  feebleness 
of  his  health  compelled  him  to  resign  his  work. 

FRIFS:  William  O.  Fries  was  born  near  Winchester, 
Virginia,  in  18H0,  and  was  graduated  with  second  honors 
froin  Lebanon  Valley  College  in  1882.  Two  years  later 
he  completed  a  full  course  at  Union  Biblical  Seminary.  He 
was  given  an  exhorter's  license  in  1878,  and  joined  confer- 
ence in  1881.  After  preaching  at  Hagerstown  and  Fred- 
erick, he  was  three  years  pastor  at  Buckhannon,  West  Vir- 
ginia, and  ])rincipal  of  the  academy  at  that  place,  becom- 
ing then  a  member  of  the  Sandusky  Conference.  To  the 
close  of  1899  he  had  received  about  600  members  into  the 
church.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  J.  K.  Nelson. 
F^our  years  he  was  a   trustee  of  the  publishing  house   at 


Dayi.m.  Ohio.     In  recent  years  Dr.  Fries  lias  been  editor 
of  'the  Sunday  Scliool  Hterature  of  the  ehurch. 

GLOVIER:  David  Frankhn  Glovier,  son  of  Le5<rand  and 
Luvernic  E.  (Frank)  Glovier,  Nvas  born  near  Cherry  Grove. 
Va  October  19.  188!).  was  educated  at  the  Harrisonburo 
Stale.  Normal  School,  converted  in  1902,  and  licensed  n, 
191G.     He  has  served  the  Aui-usta  charije  three  years. 

GRIMM:  .John  W.  Grinun  was  Ix.rn  at  Rohrersville. 
Maryland,  in  18:59,  licensed  in  18(11.  and  his  tirst  work  was 
as  i;nn,or  on  Frederick  circuit  in  18ti2.  H.s  later  heids 
were  Churchville,  South  Branch.  Fdinburj.,  I.accy  Spruig. 
After  187.>  his  liehi  were  norlh  of  the  Potomac. 

GRIMM:    Jacob  L.  Crinun  was  born  near  RohrersvilKv 

\1-.rvl,Pd   in  18r>     He  was  of  a  family  of  six  hoys  and  six 

J  .?.     r^n-;:  of  the  former  and  their  father  were  members 

tf  the  Virginia  Conference.     Jacob  L.  was  licensed  m  the 

s toric  lKU.se  of  Peter  Kemp  in  IHtUi.  an<i  made  li.s  three 

rs  course  of  readin,  in  two  years.     H.s  onb^  pastora  e 

n  this  territorv  was  Rocki.ij.ham  ci.cu.t.  18b9-.    .     In  KSo- 

\vas  chose.;edit<.r  of  "The  Weekly  Iti.u  ran      and  ma  - 

ajrer  of  the  EasKni  Fnited  H.-elh.vn  Book  and  1  ubhs!i,n.4 

House. 

GRE(i()RY:    David  Thomas  Gre^o.-y.  «""  '[^  Joseph    i. 
..nd    Sarah    E      (Fulk)    Greiio.-y,    was    bor.i    m    Berkelev 

nty  W   n'i :.  July  ui  IH^'."-    He  was  educated  at  She.ia.i- 
d".     Collegiate  l.istitute  a.id  Bonebrake   riieo lo,.cal  Se.ii.- 

y,  was  co.iverte,l  in  a  rev.val  at  Pleasa.it  Plams  Lmted 
Bre  hre.i  Chu.xli  i.i  Berkeley  cou.ity,  a.id  was  I'cense  ial 
the  annual  conference  of  1915.  He  was  ordanied  J  . 
and  has  been  four  years  an  itine.-ant,  serv.ng  West  1  .c  - 
c.rick,  Jo.ies  Sp.-i.i,^,  a,ul  Bethany,  the  last  c.rcmt  ben  «  .n 
Leba.ion  county.  Pa.  The  parents  and  S;""^!';'^"^^  °'  ^' " 
Grei.ory  were  amonj-  the  most  loyal  ol  Lmted  Brethttn. 
their  ho.nes  being  stopping  places  for  Bishops  Glossb.-e.uier 
and  Hott,  as  well  as  others. 


!()() 


I'MTEI)    BHETHHEN 


GROVK:  Herman  Jonas  Grove  was  born  at  Mapleton 
l)ei)()t.  Pa.,  Mareh  17,  1899,  and  is  a  son  of  John  H.  and 
Rlioda  (Gerliart)  Grove.  He  was  eonverled  in  1915.  New 
Creek  is  his  one  circuit  thus  far. 

GRUVP:R:  WilHani  FrankHn  Gruver,  son  of  Jacob  1. 
and  Anna  M.  Gruver,  was  born  in  Frankhn  county,  Penn., 
in  1865.  He  was  converted  in  1876,  licensed  in  1887, 
ordained  in  1889,  traveled  Singer's  Gk^i  chari^e  two  years, 
Lacey  Spring  one  year,  Elkton  one  year,  Edinburg  three 
years,  Dayton  Circuit  three  years,  Martinsburg  Station 
eigliteen  and  a  half  vears.  Assigned  to  Harrisonburg  on 
September  19,  1921.  Served  as  presiding  elder  three  years 
and  as  Conference  Superintendent  three  years,  the  two 
terms  from  March  19(Ki  to  March  1909.  He  was  appointed 
Conference  Superintendent  again  by  Bishop  Hell  in  Novem- 
ber, 1921.  The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  given  him 
by  Lebanon  Valley  College  in  June  1910.  He  married  Miss 
Nellie  M.  Ruby  December  24,  1889,  and  has  three  children, 
.Joseph,  Pauline  and  Paul.  • 

HAMMACK:  Abraham  Station  Hammack  was  born 
near  Stribling  Springs,  Va.,  his  parents  being  Rev.  C.  B. 
and  Mary  E.  Hammack.  He  was  converted  at  the  age  of 
twelve,  and  finished  his  education  at  Union  Biblical  Semi- 
nary. He  was  licensed  in  1887,  ordained  in  1890,  and  be- 
came an  itinerant  'M)  years  ago.  His  charges  were  New 
Creek,  South  Branch,  Augusta,  Churchville,  and  Harrison- 
burg. He  was  then  Presiding  Elder  four  years,  and  for 
nearly  thirteen  years  has  been  Conference  Superintendent. 
Mr.  Hammack  was  married  in  1890  to  Josie  G.  Huffman  and 
has  had  six  children. 

HARM  AN:  George  Harman  was  a  native  of  Pendleton 
coimty.  West  Virginia,  where  he  was  born  July  11,  1828. 
His  parents,  Joshua  and  Elizabeth  Harman,  died  while  ho 
was  still  a  youth,  leaving  him  with  little  more  than  a  good 
constitution  and  native  talent.  By  dint  of  energy,  efliciency, 
and  hard  work,  he  became  wealthy  and  influential.  In  1860 
he  removed  to  what  is  now  Grant  county  and  purchased 
a  pleasant   home  near  the  county  seat.     Soon  after  this 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


167 


change  of  residence  he  was  given  ([uarterly  conference 
license,  and  in  1869  joined  the  annual  conference,  being 
ordained  in  1876.  Although  he  did  not  enter  the  active 
itinerancy,  he  served  to  the  end  as  a  local  minister,  and 
in  this  field  was  very  acceptable.  He  always  commanded 
the  attention  of  his  hearers,  and  was  often  called  upon  to 
preach  at  funerals.  In  the  political  field  he  rose  to  local 
eminence  and  served  in  both  houses  of  the  legislature.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  he  was  serving  as  a  member  of  the 
county  court.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  convictions  and  he 
had  the  courage  to  stand  up  for  them.  Mr.  Harman  was 
twice  married,  both  wdves  being  daughters  of  Jacob  Smitii 
of  Pendleton  county.    He  had  five  daughters  and  two  sons. 

HANEY:  John  Haney  was  born  in  York  county, 
Pennsylvania,  April  10,  1807,  and  at  an  early  age  was  con- 
firmed in  the  Reformed  Church.  In  1828  he  was  converted 
and  joined  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  the  following 
year  was  licensed  to  preach.  In  1833  he  became  presiding 
elder  of  the  Virginia  district. 

HARP:  Joshua  Harp  was  born  in  Frederick  county. 
Maryland,  in  1825,  was  licensed  in  1860,  and  ordained  in 
1864.  He  was  a  farmer  of  Washington  county,  Maryland, 
and  his  relation  to  the  conference  was  local. 

HENSLEY:  James  L.  Hensley  was  born  at  Harrison- 
burg, Virginia,  January  24,  1833,  and  began  preaching^at 
the  age  of  twenty-three.  He  entered  conference  m  18o9, 
and  at  the  solicitation  of  Bishop  Glossbrenner  at  once  trans- 
ferred himself  to  the  Parkersburg  Conference,  in  which  he 
remained  twenty-seven  years,  served  with  ability  nine  fields 
of  labor.  In  1885  he  joined  the  Central  Ohio  Conference, 
and  in  1900  was  living  at  Marion  in  that  state,  holding 
a  superannuate  relation.  During  his  ministry  he  built  six 
churches,  married  304  couples,  conducted  nearly  1000 
funerals,  and  received  more  than  1000  members  into  the 
church.  In  his  youth  his  educational  opportunities  were 
limited  Yet  by  studious  habits  he  became  a  cultured  man, 
and  completed  a  medical  course  in   1867.     He  at  length 


168 


IMTEI)    BHETIIHEN 


beoaiiK^  a  |)hvsician  and  as  such  was  a  incinlKT  of  several 
nudical  societies.  Dr.  Hensley  served  in  the  lei^islatiires 
of  b(jth  West  Virivinia  and  Ohio,  and  was  a  leader  in  secur- 
ini4  (lie  sidjniission  in  the  former  state  of  a  prohibitory 
iimt  ndnient  to  tlie  state  constitution.  His  first  wife  was 
Ehza  .1.  Stonebauoh  of  Augusta  county,  by  whom  he  had 
live  chikhvn. 

HICKS:  James  W.  Hicks  was  born  in  Frederick  county, 
Virginia,  January  20,  bSf),").  He  joined  the  Methodist  Church 
in  l<S(i!)  and  the  United  l^rethren  in  1(S7(),  at  which  time  he 
was  L'iven  (juarterly  conference  license.  In  ISSO  he  was 
^ra(!uated  from  I'nion  Biblical  Seminary,  and  was  ordained 
the  next  year.  After  servinu  Westernport,  Edinbursi, 
Churchville,  and  Myersville,  he  joined  the  Sandusky  Con- 
ference in  1888.  In  1893  he  was  a  deleijate  to  the  General 
Conference.  He  married  Linnie  C.  Nelson  at  Martinshurg, 
West  Virt>inia,  and  five  children  were  born  to  them. 

HISKR:  Carl  William  Hiser.  son  of  William  F.  and 
Ida  H.  (Mouse)  Hiser,  was  born  near  Petersburij;,  W.  Va., 
April  17.  IIHH).  and  has  studied  at  the  Shenandoah  Col- 
leifiate  Institute  and  Lebanon  Valley  Collei-ie.  He  was  con- 
vert d  in  1<)12  and  licensed  in  1915.  Mr.  Hiser  preached 
his  first  sermon  in  Staunton  when  only  sixteen  years  old, 
and  has  done  itinerant  work  three  years.  He  was  class 
valedictorian  at  Shenandoah  Collegiate  Institute  in  1919. 
Graduated  at  L.  V.  C.  1922. 

}H)()VFR:  A.  Hoover  was  born  March  10,  1839,  and 
<]ki]  at  Roanoke.  Virginia,  February  10,  1901.  He  hecame 
an  itinerant  in  1870,  and  was  ordained  the  year  following. 
His  circuits  were  Hagerstown,  Rockbridge,  Straight  Creek, 
Pai.H'  Valley,  South  Branch,  and  Lacey  Spring.  Ill  health 
comi)elled  him  to  quit  the  active  ministry,  but  he  h()i)ed  to 
be  able  to  enter  it  again.  Mr.  Hoover  lived  a  life  of  Chris- 
tian consistency.     He  left  nine  children. 

HOTT:  Jacob  F.  Hott  lived  eight  miles  north  of  Win- 
cliester,  and  the  door  of  his  comfortable  home  was  eve  r 
open  to  the  ministers  and  laymen  of  his  church.     He  was 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


169 


a  self-made  man  of  excellent  qualities  and  sterhng  charac- 
ter    For  a  number  of  vears  he  was  a  local  preacher,  but  is 
beUer  remembered  as  the  father  of  several  emment  mem- 
bers of   the   Virginia   Conference.     Jane,   the   wife,   was  a     . 
woman  of  deep  piety  and  earnest  devotion.     Mr.  Hott  was 
converted  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  joined  the  church  at 
the  same   time   with   Jacob   Markwood,   whose   name   was 
often  on  his  lips.     He  was  soon  licensed  to  preach,  and  m 
1857  he  joined  the  Virginia  Conference,  sustaniing  honor- 
ably a  local  relation  the  remair.der  or  his  life.    Though  not 
an  Uinerant,  he  traveled  a  wide  Held,  preaching  m  barns, 
ndlls,  .roves,  and  private  houses.     Mr.   H^tt   was  a   n.an 
of  social  attractiveness  and  sparkling  wit.     His  comtortab  e 
]K>me  was  a  hospitable  one.     He  was  deservedly  popular  as 
a    preacher.      He   never   left    the    commanding    heights    ot 
writt^Mi    revelation    for    the    low    grounds    of     unmspired 
tbou^ht,  and  evcTy  pulpit  etVort  was  earnest  work  tor  Go(k 
He  was  not  a  man  of  strong  physique,  and  at  the  time  ot 
his  death,  August  'M.  1881,  he  had  not  cpiite  completed  his 
sixty-fourth  year. 

HOTT:    John    H.    Hott,   a    son    of    Peter   and    Tamson 
(Scott)    Hott,  was  born   in   Frederick   county,   \  irgima,   in 
18?>r>    but  about  ten  years  later  his  parents  moved  to  what 
1;  ;^  Grant  county.  West  Virginia.     In  180     he  was  con- 
verted  and  took  up  Christian  work.     Before  bemg  licensed 
bv  his  quarterlv  conference,  but  with  the  sanction  of  several 
n^inisters,   he   held   several   successful   revivals   and   estab- 
lished  a    number   of   churches.      These   congregations   still 
endure      Mr.    Hott   entered   Conference    m    18//    and    was 
ordained  in  1881^.     His  circuits  prior  tc,  /^^^^  :-'^-  ^^»^^^;;;^. 
erv    Hlkton.  Madison   mission,  Rockbridge,   krankhn,  and 
South  Branch.     He  died  in  Augusta  county,  ^^^^^^^^  j- 
V)H\     While  somewhat  short  in  scholarship,  Mr.  Hott  xNas 
a  hard  worker,  a  good  speaker,  and  a  pleasant  companion. 
He  was  three  times  married  and  had  eight  children. 

HOTT-    George  P.  Hott,  a  brother  to  Bishop  Hott,  was 
one  of  the  four  preacher-sons  of  Jacob  F.  Hott.  and  was 


170 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


born  March  13,  1854.  After  leaching  three  years  in  his 
native  county  of  Frederick,  he  entered  the  United  Brethren 
School  at  Dayton,  Virginia,  passing  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  w  here 
he  iiraduated  in  1882  from  Union  Hibhcal  Seminary.  He 
was  given  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of  xVrts  by 
Lebanon  Valley  College.  Mr.  Hott  was  converted  at  the 
age  of  fifteen,  was  licensed  as  a  preacher  in  1877,  and 
entered  Conference  in  1879,  serving  for  twenty-seven  ytars 
a  number  of  charges  in  Virginia  and  West  Virginia.  He 
was  six  years  a  presiding  elder,  and  thirty  years  the  secre- 
tary of  the  Virginia  Conference.  Four  times  was  he  sent 
to  the  General  Conference. 

In  1890  he  published  "Christ  the  Teacher,"  which  has 
had  a  large  sale  and  is  in  the  course  of  reading  for  licen- 
tiates. As  a  writer  of  hymns  he  possessed  much  ability, 
writing  nearly  five  hundred  religious  songs  and  a  number 
of  melodies.  Nearly  all  of  these  have  appeared  since  1900. 
For  manv  of  his  hvmns  he  wrote  both  the  words  and  the 
music.  Perhaps  the  best  known  is  'Tilory  Gates."  He  also 
comi)osed  programs  for  Sunday  school  entertainments. 

For  eleven  years  he  was  principal  of  Shenandoah  Col- 
legiate Institute,  and  for  twenty-five  years  a  trustee.  To 
him  much  credit  is  due  for  the  success  of  that  school.  Mr. 
Hott  died  at  Dayton  November  28th,  1914,  having  been  in 
feeble  health  several  years.  His  wife  was  Carrie  M.  Robin- 
son, also  of  Frederick.    He  left  a  son  and  a  daughter. 

HOWE:  George  W.  Howe  was  born  in  Ra])pahannock 
county,  September  14,  1831,  and  died  at  Mount  Clinton  in 
Rockingham,  March  10,  1889.  He  joined  the  church  in 
1867,  and  became  at  once  an  active  and  earnest  worker. 
In  early  life  he  was  a  teacher.  His  circuits  were  Berkeley 
Springs  and  Winchester,  and  in  both  were  extensive  re- 
vivals. In  1869  he  was  married  to  Sarah  J.  Ryan  of  Augusta 
county.  During  the  last  fifteen  years  of  his  life  he  was  an 
invalid. 

HOWE:  John  W.  Howe  was  born  in  Rappahannock 
county,  Virginia,  December  4,  1829,  and  died  at  Dayton^ 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


171 


Virginia,  June  17,  1903.  WTien  a  youth  of  fifteen  he  was 
bound  to  a  man  who  was  ever  afterward  his  friends.  This 
was  Samuel  Crabill,  then  living  near  Strasburg.  He  re- 
mained with  Mr.  Crabill  until  he  was  of  age.  During  these 
years  young  Howe  was  strong  and  willing,  but  wild  and 
reckless.  When  twenty-two  years  old  he  married  Julia 
Stickley  of  the  same  neighborhood.  Soon  afterward  he 
was  converted  and  then  became  a  colporteur  and  student. 
In  1858  he  was  licensed  as  a  preacher.  The  next  three 
years  he  preached  in  Augusta,  Highland,  and  Pendleton 
counties,  building  one  good  country  meeting  house  and 
receiving  a  large  number  of  persons  into  the  church.  After 
the  Civil  War  broke  out  he  was  transferred  to  Shenandoah 
county.  Our  denomination  was  then  badly  disorganized, 
but  Mr.  Howe  preached  to  his  i)eople  and  the  soldiers  as 
opportunity  ottered.  After  the  return  of  peace  he  devoted 
himself  zealously  to  the  task  of  rallying  the  scattered  mem- 
bership,  particularly  with  the  help  of  revivals  and  camp 
meetings.     In  these  efl'orts  he  was  very  successful. 

In  1868  he  was  made  a  presiding  elder  and  served  in 
this  capacity  seventeen  years,  although  he  was  on  several 
circuits  between  the  various  terms.  In  Staunton  he 
organized  a  congregation  and  built  a  church.  This  was 
his  last  charge.  He  believed  in  the  itinerancy  and  would 
not  consent  to  serve  longer  than  four  years  at  one  time 
as  elder  or  pastor.  Beginning  with  1869  he  was  in  every 
General  Conference,  and  in  that  body  he  was  a  great 
worker,  especially  on  committees.  F'inance  was  his  strong 
point,  and  when  he  was  present  the  taking  of  a  collection 
fell  upon  him.  He  was  several  times  offered  important 
places  in  the  financial  work  of  the  Church,  but  preferred 
staying  in  Virginia. 

His  home  for  some  years  after  the  war  was  at  Singers 
Glen,  and  being  himself  a  good  singer,  he  was  there  in 
touch  with  kindred  spirits.  He  used  new  and  popular  songs 
with  great  effect,  and  helped  to  get  up  a  small  song  book 
for  use  in  camp  meetings.  It  took  well  and  a  large  and 
better  printed  book  was  called  for.    A  company  was  formed 


^72  unitp:i)  bhethhkn 

for  tho  publication  of  a  new  book,  which  sold  at  a  profit. 
Thus  started  the  publishing  house  of  the  Ruebush-Kiefter 
Company,  Mr.  Howe  being  a  member,  and  derivmg  from 
the  business  a  considerable  income.     He  was  a  good  busi- 
ness man,  and  even  under  trying  conditions  he  was   re- 
sourceful    Twice  his  home  burned  during  his  absence,  yet 
he  would  at  once  set  about  recouping  the  loss.     He  always 
saws  success  ahead.     Withal,  he  was  liberal,  and  m  the 
last  twenty  years  of  his  life  scarcely  a  church  or  parsonage 
^vas  built  hUhe  conference  to  which  he  did  not  contribute. 
Mr    Howe  was  always  a  friend  to  Shenandoah  Collegiate 
Institute,  and  was  one  of  the  first  men  to  contribute  $M)0 
toward  the  purchase  of  the  school  by  the  Church.     It  was 
through   his   counsel   and   help   that   the   Howe   Memorial 
Building  was  erected  in  front  of  where  he  lived.     He  was 
a  leader  in  his  conference  for  many  years,  and  during  this 
lime  nearly  every  important  selection  of  men  was  made 
Avith  his  approval.     Mr.  Howe  was  a  leader  of  men,  a  fine 
oroanizer,  and  a    tireless   worker.     He  was  as  competent 
to' manage  a  state  as  a  conference.    It  is  to  him  more  then 
any  other  one  man  that  is  due  the  recovery  ot  the  Church 
f nim  the  disasters  of  the  war.    His  second  wife  was  Rebecca 
Hancher  of  Frederick  county.     There  was  five  daughtei-s 
by  the  first  marriage. 

HUFP'MAN-    George    Huffman    died   at   Ins    home   at 
Mount  Zion!  Augusta  county,  October  22,  1888,  aged  about 
eightv-two  years.     ^X^ncle  George,"  as  he  was  familiarly 
cahed,  had  been  a   number  of   the   Conference  .fifty-mne 
years    and  at  its  special  invitation  he  gave  a  talk  at  the 
close  of  a  half-century  of  ministerial  life.    His  early  experi- 
ences and  memories  were  such  as  the  United  Brethren, 
even  of  thirty  years  ago,  were  rarely  privileged  to  meet. 
In  the  permanent  growth  of  the  denomination,  he  watched 
with  a  jealous  eve  every  departure  from  established  cus- 
toms and  habits^     He  always  took  sides  and  was  strong 
in  his  convictions.     Everybody  knew  where  to  find  him. 
Yet   he   sometimes   chose   his   friends   from   among   those 
who  ditfered  with  him.     He  selected  for  his  funeral  text. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


173 


'Though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death 
I  will  fear  no  evil;  thy  rod  and  thy  staft'  they  comfort  me.'' 

HUFFMAN:  Sylvester  J.  Huffman,  a  son  of  John  R. 
and  Mary  P.  HufI'man,  and  grandson  of  the  Rev.  John  W. 
Howe,  was  born  in  Staunton,  Virginia,  in  1869.  He  went 
to  Iowa  in  1885,  joined  the  Des  Moines  Conference  in  1891, 
and  was  ordained  1895. 

HUTZLER:  Charles  W.  Hutzler  was  born  at  White- 
hall, Virginia,  in  1853,  and  was  licensed  in  1877.  Berkeley 
circijit  was  his  only  charge  in  this  conference. 

JONES:  Henry  Jones  died  at  his  home  at  Va\s[  Point, 
Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  August  23,  1889,  aged  nearly 
fifty-three  years.  He  entered  Conference  in  1875,  and 
labored  on  F^lkton,  Front  Royal,  and  Dayton  charges,  and 
was  for  a  while  agent  for  Shenandoah  Institute.  Failing 
health  caused  him  to  retire  from  active  work.  He  was  a 
man  of  strong  convictions,  and  would  make  no  compromise 
with  what  he  looked  upon  as  evil. 

JONES:  William  O.  Jones  was  born  in  Madison  county, 
Virginia,  in  1874,  and  was  educated  at  Lebanon  Valley 
College  and  Shenandoah  Collegiate  Institute.  He  was 
licensed  in  1894,  and  his  early  fields  were  Berkeley  Springs, 
Prince  William,  and  Churchville.  He  is  now  serving  in  the 
Nebraska  Conference. 

JUDY:  Ida  MaHelle  Judy,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Ellen 
Jiuiv,  was  born  near  Petersburg,  W.  Va.,  June  19,  1873. 
She  was  educated  at  the  Fairmont  Normal  School,  the 
Shenandoah  Collegiate  Institute,  and  the  Moody  Biblical 
Institute.  Miss  Judy  was  converted  in  1895,  licensed  in 
1891»,  ordained  in  1901,  and  has  been  seven  years  an  itiner- 
ant. Her  charges  have  been  Franklin,  Westernport,  Day- 
ton, and  Petersburg.  She  has  for  some  time  been  a  mem- 
ber, of  the  faculty  of  the  Shenandoah  Collegiate  Institute. 

KETTF:RMAN:  J.  G.  Ketterman  died  at  his  home  on 
Lost  River  mission,  December  11,  1884,  aged  fifty  years. 
After  the  close  of  the  war  of  1861  he  was  given  quarterly 


174 


UNITED    BHETH1U:N 


conference  license,  and  was  a  faitliful  itinerant  tlie  rest 
of  his  life.  He  was  a  sound  and  forcible  preacher,  and  was 
loved  and  respected  by  all. 

KIR\COFF-  J  \V.  Kiracofe  was  born  near  Slriblinji 
Springs'.  Virginia,  and  died  at  Hagerstown,  Maryland.  Sep- 
tember 2i»,  1914.  ajied  seventy-three  years.  Hve  ol  Ins  six 
brothers  were  also  nnnisters.  He  entered  conterenee  n, 
18fi.4.  and  i.reached  in  Hij^hland.  Rockinghan.,  Rocklmdge, 
and  Frederick  counties.  After  the  formation  ot  the  Mary- 
land Conference,  he  was  i.astor  of  some  ot  the  largest 
churches  in  its  territory,  such  as  Hagerstown.  Boonshoro, 
Frederick.  Keedvsville,  Boiling  Springs.  Newville,  Mec.ian- 
icstown.  l>otoma"c.  and  Moimt  .\lto.  In  1912  he  retired  and 
made  his  lu.me  in  Hagerstown.  He  was  an  able  pulpi 
orator  and  long  a  powerful  factor  in  the  church.  H.  iu.d 
eight  children. 

KIR\COFE-  Nimrod  A.  Kiracofe  was  born  at  Stril)lini> 
Springs;  Virginia,  April  17,  1850.  He  was  ---^tc^ - 
18()8,  licensed  1872,  and  jonied  conference  ni  188b.  Atlci 
serving  West  Au-usta  and  Soutb  River  missions.  Lost 
River  circuit,  Williamsport  mission.  Deer  Park  circuit,  and 
Rockbridge  circuit,  be  joined  tbe  Pennsylvania  Conference. 
During  tbe  14  vears  after  admission  be  built  tbree  cburclies, 
and  in  one  mt^^ting  bad  93  conversions  to  rei)()rt.  Ou  one 
occasion  be  baptized  10  persons. 

LAWRENCE:  P.  J.  Lawrence  was  born  in  Loudoun 
countv,  Virginia,  in  1859,  was  licensed  in  1879,  and  joined 
conference  in  1882.  He  served  Hloomery  circuit  seven 
and  one-balf  years  as  bis  first  cbarge.  Tbe  member* 
taken  into  tbe  cburcb  in  18  years  were  about  150. 

LUDWIG:  S.  R.  Ludvdg  was  born  at  Rio,  West  Vir- 
ginia, in  1859.  After  serving  Soutb  Brancb  and  Lacey 
Springs,  be  joined  tbe  Miami  Conference. 

LUTZ:  Lewis  W.  Lutz  was  born  near  Middlet(A\  n, 
Maryland,  in  1872,  and  graduated  in  1897  from  Ottcrbein 


CHIKCH    HISTORY 


175 


University,  joining  tbe  W\^st  Virginia  Conference  tbe  same 
year.    His  first  work  in  tbis  conference  was  Soutb  Hrancb. 

MAIDEN:  Artbur  Lee  Maiden,  son  of  Rev.  J.  W.  and 
Polly  A.  Maiden,  was  born  near  Elkton,  Va.,  August  31, 
188H,  was  converted  in  1899,  licensed  in  1905,  and  ordained 
in  1912.  He  bas  been  five  years  on  tbe  Sbenandoab, 
Prince  William,  and  Western})ort  cbarges,  graduating 
from  Ronebrake  Tbeological  Seminary  1922. 

?kIAlDEN:  Jobn  William  Maiden,  son  of  James  G.  and 
Mary  A.  (Wyant)  Maiden,  was  born  in  Rockingbam  county, 
Va.,  November  19,  1844.  He  was  converted  in  1869, 
licensed  in  1875,  and  subsequently  ordained.  He  bas 
preacbed  40  years,  serving  Rockbridge,  Pleasant  Valley, 
Albemarle,  Sbenandoab,  Cburcbville,  Wincbester,  Tonvs 
Brook,  Great  Cacapon,  Potomac  Fountain,  and  otber 
cbarges. 

:\1ANN:  Andrew  Brown  Mann  was  born  in  tbe  sbire  of 
Linlitbgow,  Scotland,  of  Presbyterian  parents,  and  was 
educated  in  bis  native  country.  He  was  licensed  in  1911 
and  ordained  in  1918.  His  cbarges  bave  been  Bayard,  Soutb 
Brancb,  and  Staunton.  Mr.  Mann  spent  tbree  years  in 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  work,  and  one  year  in  Canada  in  special  mis- 
sion work. 

:MARTIN:  William  L.  Martin  was  born  near  Tburmont, 
Maryland,  in  1845,  and  was  licensed  in  1871,  joining  confer- 
ence in  1881.  His  pastorates  to  1900  were  Clarke,  Mecban- 
icstown,  Frederick,  Myersville,  Williamsport,  Boonsboro, 
and  be  built  a  cburcb  at  Myersville. 

McMULLEN:  Edgar  W.  McMullen  was  born  near 
Singers  Glen,  Virginia,  February  5,  1863,  and  died  at  Day- 
ton!^ Virginia,  December  11,  1917.  He  was  graduated  from 
Otterbein  University,  wbicb  conferred  on  bim  tbe  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts.  He  was  ordained  in  1889,  but  because 
of  a  weak  constitution  and  poor  bealtb  be  never  entered 
tbe  active  ministry.  His  pulpit  was  bis  class  room  in  Sben- 
andoab Collegiate  Institute,  wbere  he  was  one  of  tbe  faculty. 
His  life  was  a  beroic  figbt  against  physical  odds. 


176 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


McNEIL:  William  Grady  McNeil  was  born  in  Mississippi, 
in  1881).  He  was  converted  in  1907,  licensed  in  1908, 
ordained  in  1913.  His  fields  have  been  Fountain,  Elkton, 
and  Franklin. 

MESSIGK:  Lewis  Henry  Messick,  son  of  William  R. 
and  Marv  E.  (Hartman)  Messick,  was  born  at  Mount  Clin- 
ton, Va.,'june  13,  1883,  and  was  educated  at  Bridgewater 
and  Dayton.  He  was  converted  in  1902,  licensed  in  1907, 
and  has  been  an  itinerant  seven  years.  His  charges  have 
been  West  Frederick,  Elk  Garden,  Swoope,  and  Manassas. 

MILES:  James  W.  Miles  was  born  in  Frederick  county, 
Maryland,  in  1818,  was  converted  in  1835,  and  was  licensed 
in  tiie  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1841.  He  joined 
the  United  Brethren  Church  in  1843  and  its  conference  the 
next  year.  He  was  ordained  1840  and  in  1850  was  presid- 
ing elder  of  the  territorv  that  becanu'  the  Parkersburg  Con- 
ference,  with  which  he  was  identified  after  its  organiza- 
tion. His  second  wife,  Mary  E.  Jackson  was  a  cousin  to 
Stonewall  Jackson. 

MILLER:  Charles  Miller  was  born  in  York  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  6,  1824.  He  professed  religion  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  and  joined  the  Evangelical  Association. 
In  1850  he  was  ordained.  Some  time  earlier  than  this  he 
was  sent  to  Virginia  as  a  missionary.  He  located  at  Pur- 
gitsville,  Hampshire  county.  West  Mrginia,  where  he  was 
married  to  Miss  L')uisa  High  of  that  i)lace  and  reared  a 
large  family.  Soon  after  coming  here  Mr.  Miller  connected 
himself  with  the  United  Brethren,  and  in  1874  became 
an  ordained  elder.  He  was  an  exceptional  man.  Although 
a  local  preacher,  he  frequently  traveled  a  circuit  thus  serv- 
ing several  large  charges  in  reach  of  his  home.  As  a 
preacher  he  was  clear,  logical,  and  scriptural.  As  a  lay- 
man he  was  much  respected  and  wielded  a  good  influence. 
He  provided  well  for  his  family,  yet  gave  a  tenth  to  the 
cause  of  the  Church.     He  was  forty-five  years  a  minister. 

MITCHELL:  William  Davis  Mitchell  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  Va.,  was  educated  at  Roanoke,  converted 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


177 


in  1894,  and  licensed  in  1905.  He  has  been  an  itinerant  14 
years,  serving  Roanoke,  Staunton,  Harrisonburg,  Cumber- 
iana,  and  Inwood. 

NEGLEY:  J.  A.  Negley  was  born  at  White  Hall,  Vir- 
ginia, December  23,  1831,  and  died  at  Arthur,  Grant  county. 
West  Virginia,  December  27,  1898.  He  was  converted  when 
about  twenty-three  years  old,  and  joined  the  Virginia  Con- 
ference in  1872.  His  circuits  were  Clarke,  New  Haven, 
Berkeley,  Front  Royal,  Lost  River,  Moorefield,  and  Frank- 
lin. His  education  was  meager,  yet  he  often  preached  with 
great  power,  the  plainness  and  simplicity  of  his  utterances 
being  readily  understood  by  his  hearers.  He  therefore 
often  succeeded  where  others  might  have  failed.  His  last" 
year  in  the  ministry  was  perhaps  his  best,  since  there  were 
more  than  one  hundred  conversions  to  report.  As  a  token 
of  its  appreciation  the  Conference  ordered  that  a  monu- 
ment be  placed  over  his  grave  at  Mount  Carmel  church. 
Grant  county. 

NIHISER:  J.  W.  Nihiser  was  born  in  Shenandoah 
county,  and  died  at  Keedysville,  Maryland,  February  26, 
1893,  aged  sixty-six  years.  He  was  a  brother  to  the  Rev. 
Richard  Nihiser,  and  it  was  through  the  influence  of  the 
latter  that  he  joined  the  church.  Very  early  in  life  he 
took  an  active  part  in  the  work  of  his  class.  He  was  a  fine 
singer  at  revival  meetings  and  was  powerful  in  prayer.  As 
an  exhorter  he  was  surpassed  by  few.  He  traveled  South 
Branch,  Alleghany,  New  Creek,  Franklin,  Augusta,  Dayton, 
and  Winchester  circuits,  on  most  of  which  he  had  exten- 
sive revivals.  For  several  years  he  had  been  on  the  super- 
numary  list,  making  his  home  with  his  son.  Dr.  W.  M. 
Nihiser. 

OBAUGH:  William  B.  Obaugh,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S. 
H.  Obaugh,  was  born  near  Churchville,  Va.,  December  6, 
1892,  and  studied  at  the  Shenandoah  Collegiate  Institute 
and  Bonebrake  Seminary.  He  was  licensed  in  1916,  has 
spent  three  years  on  Fountain  and  Edinburg  circuits,  and 
was  graduated  from  Bonebrake  Seminary  1922. 


178 


UNITED    F5HETHREN 


PERRY:  John  W.  Perry  was  born  at  Chewsville,  Mary- 
land, in  1825,  studied  at  Mount  Pleasant  College,  and 
joined  eonference  in  1850.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Park- 
ersburi>  Conferenee  from  1857  to  1889,  when  he  removed 
to  Philadelphia  to  be  with  his  son. 

RACP'.Y:  Calvin  Jaekson  Racey,  son  of  Mori>an  and 
Rebecea  Racev,  was  born  at  Oki  Fields,  Hardy  county, 
W.  Va.  He  studied  two  years  at  the  Shenandoah  Collegiate 
Institute,  was  converted  in  1883,  licensed  in  1905,  and 
ordained  in  1912.  Mr.  Racey  taut>ht  12  years  in  his  native 
county,  holding  a  Number  One  certificate  at  the  age  of 
eighteen.  He  has  been  an  itinerant  18  years,  having  served 
West  Frederick,  Winchester,  Swoope,  Pendleton,  FJk  Gar- 
den, and  Westernport.  His  wife  was  Cora  S.  High,  and 
he  has  four  children. 


RACFY:  Lee  Allen  Racev  was  born  near  Moorefield, 
W.  Va.,  March  28,  1869,  and  is  a  son  of  Morgan  and 
Rebecca  Racev.  He  was  ordained  in  1903,  and  has  been 
an  itinerant  23  years.  He  has  served  Prince  William,  Elk 
Garden,  Franklin,  Tom's  Brook,  South  Branch,  Pleasant 
Valley,  Winchester,  Bayard,  Great  Cacapon,  and  Inwood. 
He  relates  that  he  was  reared  in  a  Christian  home,  and 
does  not  remember  the  time  when  he  did  not  consider  him- 
self a  member  of  the  church. 

RAl  :  William  Samuel  Rau,  son  of  John  V.  and  Sarah 
E.  Rau,  was  born  August  19,  1858,  at  P^dinburg,  Va.,  was 
converted  in  1876,  licensed  in  1900,  ordained  in  1908,  and 
has  been  an  itinerant  20  years.  He  has  served  Albemarle, 
Rockbridge,  Elk  Garden,  Bayard,  Augusta,  Elkton,  Lacey 
Spring,  and  Shenandoah.  He  has  built  several  parsonages 
and  remodeled  still  more. 

REXROAD:  George  W.  Rexrode  was  born  in  Pendle- 
ton county.  West  Virginia,  January  4,  1821,  and  died  near 
Port  Republic,  Virginia,  March  25,  1898.  He  joined  the 
Virginia  Conference  in  1858,  and  was  a  member  of  it  forty 
years,  generally  occupying  a  local  relation,  and  preaching 


CHLHCH    HISTOHY 


179 


mostly  in  his  native  county.  He  supported  his  large  family 
by  following  the  trade  of  shoemaker.  He  was  a  consistent 
Christian  and  exerted  a  good  influence.  In  Bible  doctrines 
he  was  well  informed  and  he  was  powerful  in  prayer. 

RICHARDSON:  Harvey  Eugene  Richardson  was  born 
at  Buckeystown,  Md.,  June  22,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  James 
A.  and  Margaret  E.  Richardson.  He  was  converted  when 
tw  enty-one,  licensed  in  1891,  ordained  in  1898,  and  has  been 
an  itinerant  since  1893.  His  charges  in  the  Virginia  Con- 
ference are  Berkeley  Springs,  Great  Cacapon,  Rockbridge, 
West  Frederick,  Bayard,  and  Winchester.  Mr.  Richard- 
son has  served  several  charges  in  Maryland  and  Iowa.  He 
had  to  begin  making  his  way  at  the  age  of  twelve,  and  his 
has  been  largely  a  self-education.  He  has  made  quite  a 
name  as  a  pulpit  orator. 

RIDENOUR:  Jacob  R.  Ridenour  was  born  near  Myers- 
ville,  Maryland,  in  1849.  He  was  the  first  student  to  enter 
Lebanon  Valley  College  from  south  of  Mason  and  Dixon's 
line,  and  he  pursued  the  scientihc  course  to  the  senior  year. 
He  was  licensed  in  1874,  and  joined  conference  the  next 
year.  In  17  years  of  pastoral  work  he  served  New  Creek, 
South  Branch,  Hagerstown,  Winchester,  Berkeley  Springs, 
Keedysville,  Martinsburg,  and  Dayton,  and  was  two  years 
presiding  elder  of  the  Winchester  district.  In  1893  he  took 
a  superannuate  relation  because  of  failing  health. 

RODERICK:  Lewis  Roderick  was  a  Dunkard  preacher 
who  came  to  what  is  now  Grant  county.  West  Virginia, 
from  Frederick  county,  Maryland.  This  was  about  the 
close  of  the  Revolution,  and  he  was  accompanied  by  his 
brother-in-law,  Nicholas  Leatherman.  He  moved  on  to 
Coshocton  county,  Ohio,  and  died  there  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
six.  His  son  Peter  came  back  to  visit  his  uncle,  married 
in  1816,  and  remained.  Jacob  M.,  son  of  Peter,  was  born 
in  1817  on  a  farm  near  Burlington,  West  Virginia.  When 
eighteen  years  old  he  began  teaching  in  the  winter  season, 
still  working  on  the  farm  in  the  summer.  He  was  con- 
verted in  1843,  under  the  preaching  of  John  Ruebush,  and 


180 


UNITED    BHETHHEN 


was  ordained  in  1861.  Alleghany  mission  had  just  been 
formed  to  favor  some  thirty  or  more  members  who  had 
moved  into  Garrett  county,  Maryland,  mostly  from  Somer- 
set  county,  Pennsylvania.  Benjamin  Stickley  was  i^iven 
^50  in  missionary  mone\'  and  sent  to  travel  it  six  months. 
Mr.  Roderick  then  took  charije,  finding  fifteen  appointments 
and  210  miles  to  travel  each  month.  He  added  two  appoiiil- 
ments.  His  salary  was  $52  for  the  first  six  months,  $500 
for  the  fourth  year,  by  which  time  there  were  400  mem- 
bers. He  then  served  Alleghany,  Bath,  New  Creek,  and 
l^loomery  circuits.  Though  not  a  born  orator,  he  was  a 
revivalist  of  some  note,  and  several  of  his  converts  became 
ministers.  It  was  a  maxim  with  him  that  ''the  fear  of 
hell  never  hel])ed  anyone  very  far  on  the  road  to  the  Kin<4- 
dom.''  He  had  a  fine  education  and  was  an  authority  on 
ancient  and  biblical  history.  When  asked  by  Bishop  Hott 
to  be  examined  at  Union  Biblical  Institute  for  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Divinity,  he  replied  that  he  could  do  more  for 
the  Master  as  I'ncle  Jake  than  as  Dr.  Roderick.  In  1861  he 
was  secretary  of  a  mass  meeting  that  was  instrumental  in 
l)lacing  the  boundary  of  West  Virginia  east  of  the 
Alleghanies.  This  action  cost  the  chairman  and  one  other 
member  their  lives,  but  Mr.  Roderick  was  never  molested. 

ROUDABUSH:  George  J.  Roudabush  was  born  at 
Seville,  Virginia,  December  1,  1846,  and  died  December 
17,  1916.  He  was  converted  at  Shadv  Grove,  Rockini^ham 
county,  in  1866,  and  was  licensed  in  1868.  Despite  the 
limited  educational  advantages  of  his  early  years,  he  read 
many  books  and  was  considered  a  minister  of  splendid 
ability.  He  traveled  East  Virginia  mission,  Elkton,  Lacey 
Springs,  Augusta,  Dayton,  Mechanicstown,  and  Boonsboro, 
built  three  churches  and  two  i)arsonages,  and  received 
about  500  members  into  the  church.  For  several  years  he 
was  presiding  elder  of  the  Mar\4and  Conference. 

RUEBUSH:    John    Ruebush    was    born    in    Augusta 
county,  Virginia,  in  1816,  was  converted  in  1834,  and  in 
the  year  licensed   by  a   (juarterly  conference.     He  joined 
the  Virginia  Conference  in  1841,  and  in  1844  traveled  in 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


181 


the  section  of  the  state  beyond  the  Alleghanies,  opening  n{) 
new  work.  In  1850  he  became  a  presiding  elder,  the  boun- 
dary line  of  his  mountain  district  being  pressed  weslwaid. 
Mr.  Ruebush  was  a  born  leader,  fearless,  energetic,  and 
enterprising,  and  of  broad  vision.  While  not  a  proloiaitl 
thinker,  he  loved  and  apprehended  the  truth  of  the  F)ible 
and  the  ways  of  (iod.  He  knew  the  lessons  of  love,  idilh, 
and  obedience,  and  preached  and  enforced  them  with 
power.  When  in  1856  the  Virginia  Conference  decided  to 
open  a  mission  in  East  Tennessee,  Mr.  Ruebush  was  choseit 
to  lead  the  entrprise.  In  his  first  report  he  says:  "I  have 
found  thirteen  members  scattered  over  a  large  lerriic^iy. 
My  congregations  are  very  large  and  attentive.  1  have  my 
work  arranged  in  the  form  of  a  three  weeks'  mission  cir- 
cuit. Last  Sabbath  I  preached  in  the  woods  to  a  large  c(.n- 
gregation;  in  the  afternoon  at  a  Methodist  church,  but  tiie 
people  could  not  all  get  in  the  house."'  He  soon  announced 
that  he  had  more  calls  than  three  men  could  fill.  His 
preaching  was  mainly  in  the  counties  of  Washingloi', 
Greene,  and  Johnson.  His  success  closed  the  doors  of  other 
churches  to  him.  He  was  advised  to  leave  the  state  on 
pain  of  personal  violence,  and  though  subjected  to  much 
annoyance  because  of  the  anti-slavery  record  of  his  churclu 
he  remained  in  his  field  until  the  war  of  1861  had  broken 
out.  He  then  said  that  "as  soon  as  the  war  is  over  tlu  re- 
will  be  a  ripe  harvest  for  the  United  U>rethren  Church  in 
East  Tennessee.'  He  did  go  back  after  the  return  of  peace, 
and  in  November,  1866,  the  Tennessee  Conference  was. 
organized  bv  Bishop  Glossbrenner.  Mr.  Ruebush  and  two 
other  ministers  were  present.  ITiere  were  only  200  mem- 
bers, but  in  1908  there  were  5000  in  Tennessee,  Georgia, 
and  Louisiana.  In  1860,  Mr.  Ruebush  returned  to  Virginia, 
served  Lacey  Springs  and  Edinburg,  and  in  1874  he  was 
made  a  presiding  elder.  He  was  afterward  on  the  Boons- 
boro and  Myersville  circuits,  but  after  being  transferred 
to  the  Hagerstown  circuit,  he  died  at  Leitersburg,  Mary- 
land, in  1881.  He  was  strong  as  a  revivalist,  and  few 
ministers  had  so  much  power  over  an  audience. 


182 


UMTEI)    BHETHREX 


RUPFKNTHAL:  Harry  Preston  Rii|)i)enthal,  son  of 
Henry  M.  and  Ida  C.  Ruppenthal,  was  born  at  Berkeley 
S{)rini>s,  April  27,  1893.  His  education  was  completed  at 
Lebanon  Valley  College.  He  was  converted  in  1905,  licensed 
in  1920,  and  his  one  charge  thus  far  is  Shenandoah  City. 
During  the  recent  war  he  was  in  radio  wireless  service  at 
Richmond,  Va. 

SALT:  Michael  A.  Salt  was  born  in  Powroun,  England 
in  1841.  While  yet  a  boy  he  became  a  sailor  and  during 
his  nine  years  on  the  sea  had  many  thrilling  experiences. 
He  was  converted  at  18  and  united  with  the  Wesleyans. 
He  had  an  impression  that  he  should  preach,  and  once 
dreamed  that  he  was  preaching  in  a  strange  land.  The 
dream  was  fulfilled  21  years  later  at  a  camp  meeting  in 
Augusta  county.  In  1871  he  came  to  America  and  in  1880 
joined  the  N'irginia  Conference. 

SAMPSELL:  William  Hamilton  Sampsell  was  born  in 
Stephens  City,  Va.,  January  13,  1850.  He  is  a  son  of 
Xicliolas  and  Margaret  A.  Sampsell.  He  was  licensed  in 
1879,  ordained  in  1885,  and  has  been  an  itinerant  41  vears. 
He  has  served  Franklin,  Elkton,  South  Branch,  New  Creek, 
Cross  Keys,  Frederick,  Churchville,  Edinburg,  Berkeley 
Springs,  Tom's  Brook,  Jones  Springs,  Pleasant  Valley, 
Klkton,  Lacey  Spring,  Winchester,  West  Frederick. 

SCOTT:  Snowden  Scott  was  born  in  Loudoun  county, 
Virginia,  December  3,  1821,  and  died  at  Seymoursville, 
West  N'irginia,  Mav  2,  1901.  He  was  converted  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  years,  and  was  transferred  to  Mount  Hebron, 
Grant  county.  West  Virginia,  seven  years  later.  His 
relation  to  the  conference  was  that  of  local  minister.  Be- 
cause^ others  could  not  afford  to  work  there,  he  built  a 
cliLirch  at  Mount  Olivet,  Hardy  county,  and  preached  in  it 
regularly  many  years.  Possessing  good  judgment  and 
strong  convictions,  Mr.  Scott  was  an  invaluable  counselor 
to  the  young  minister.  In  his  hospitable  home  the  pastor 
always  received  a  royal  welcome.     One  of  his  daughters 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


183 


is  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  A.  J.  Secrist.     His  wife  was  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  the  Rev.  Adam  I.  Bovey. 

SCOTT:  John  D.  Scott  was  born  in  Floyd  county,  Vir- 
ginia, February  29,  1829,  and  died  at  Roanoke,  Virginia, 
December  28,  1907.  He  was  converted  in  early  life,  and 
received  his  first  license  to  preach  from  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South.  In  1874  he  united  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  was  ordained  in  1879. 
In  1890  he  established  his  home  in  Roanoke,  and  in  1905 
was  received  into  the  United  Brethren  conference  as  an 
ordained  elder.  He  was  active  and  useful  as  a  local 
preacher,  assisting  the  pastors  in  their  work  and  often 
having  preaching  places  of  his  own.  His  breadwinning 
profession  was  that  of  physician  and  dentist,  in  which  he 
was  very  skillful.  He  administered  to  the  poor,  regardless 
of  the  matter  of  compensation.  He  was  consistent  in  his 
life  and  diligent  and  earnest  in  the  performance  of  all 
duties. 

SECRIST:  Arthur  Jacob  Secrist,  son  of  Thomas  J.  and 
Frances  V.  (Hawk)  Secrist,  was  born  February  13,  1872 
in  Grant  county,  W^  Va.  His  education  has  been  that  of  the 
free  schools  and  the  Shenandoah  Collegiate  Institute.  He 
was  converted  in  1891,  licensed  in  1893,  and  ordained  in 
1890.  Mr.  Secrist  has  been  in  the  ministry  28  years,  and 
has  served  the  charges  now  known  as  Hardy,  Elkton, 
Churchville,  Pleasant  Valley,  New  Creek,  Inwood,  Cumber- 
land, and  Dayton.  He  built  churches  at  Cumberland  and 
Pleasant  Grove,  and  a  parsonage  at  Cumberland.  Previous 
to  entering  the  ministry,  he  taught  five  years  in  Grant 
county.  He  was  married  in  1895  to  Leona  C.  Scott  and  has 
two  living  children. 

SENSENY:  Dr.  Peter  Senseny  came  from  York,  in 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  walking  in  a  field  in  his  riding 
costume,  while  Bishop  Boehm  was  preaching,  and  heard 
these  words,  which  were  suggested  by  his  presence:  "Some 
sinners  are  going  to  hell  with  boots  and  spurs  on."  He 
was  converted  and  became  a  preacher.     He  died  in  1801. 


184 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


SHUEY:    George  A.  Shiiey  was  born  near  Church ville, 
Virginia,  June  7,  1815,  was  educated  in  a  classical  academy 
at  Staunton,  and  was  married  to  Martha  Goldsmith,  whom 
he  met  in  a  camp  meeting  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  had  six  children,  of  whom  Theodore  F.  was  chief  steno- 
gra])her  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.     John  Ludwiiv 
Shuey,  grandfather  of  George,  was  born  in  Bethel   town- 
ship, Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Middle 
River,  1795.    Like  his  ancestors,  who  came  from  the  Pala- 
tinate, he  was  of  the  Reformed  Church.     Of  his  nine  chil- 
dren, John,  born  1787,  married  Catharine  Funkhouser  and 
moved  to  New  Goshen,  Indiana.     Christian,  born  1792,  died 
1802,   married   Catharine,   a   niece   to   George   A.   Geeting. 
One  of  his  four  children  was  the  Rev.  George  A.,  mentioned 
above.     Another  was  Maria,  wife  of  Bishop  Glossbrenner. 
For  several  years  Mr.  Shuey  was  an  etlicient  itinerant,  but 
at  length  chose  to  become  a  local  preacher.     As  a  counselor 
he  was  prudent  and  safe,  and  was  often  in  oflicial  position 
in   his  church.     His  home   near  Churchville   was    one   ot 
extended  hospitality. 

SKELTOX:  Silas  D.  Skelton  was  born  at  Mount  Craw- 
ford, Virginia,  in  1860,  and  was  converted  when  thirteen. 
After  teaching  seven  years,  he  joined  conference  in  1885, 
and  in  14  years  built  two  churches  and  took  728  persons 
into  the  church.  In  1914  he  was  granted  a  local  relation  and 
lived  in  Dayton  and  now  is  serving  Manassas  charge.  He 
was  married  to  Maggie  C.  Heatwole  in  1882.  In  1907  he 
attended  the  5th  World's  Sunday  School  Convention,  wliich 
met  in  Rome,  Italy,  and  finished  up  the  trip  by  a  tour 
through  Central  and  Northern  Europe. 

SMITH:  William  Henry  Smith,  son  of  H.  W.  H.  and 
Flora  \.  (Rockwell)  Smith,  was  born  at  Great  Cacapon, 
September  5,  1886.  He  studied  at  the  Shenandoah  Col- 
legiate Institute,  was  converted  in  1912,  and  licensed  in 
1914.  His  charges  have  been  West  Frederick,  Davton,  and 
Singer's  Glen. 

SNYDER:  Josiah  ¥.  Snyder  was  born  at  Keedysville, 
Maryland  in  1866,  and  licensed  in  1888.     His  first  pastorates 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


hsr) 


were  Lost  River,  Bloomery,   Augusta,  Berkeley,  Martins- 
burg,  Edinburg,  and  South  Branch. 

STATTON:  Isaac  K.  Statton  was  born  in  Hampshire 
county,  Virginia,  December  25,  1830.  He  was  a  son  of 
Jacob,  who  in  1812  married  Margaret  C.  Highof.  Their 
children  were  James  H.,  John  F.,  Nancy  J.,  George  W., 
N.  Green,  Amelia,  Isaac  K.,  David  E.,  Margaret  C,  Mary 
C,  and  Elizabeth.  Isaac  K.  grew  up  as  free  as  the  fowls 
of  the  air  or  the  deer  of  the  forest.  He  worked  on  the 
farm,  and  at  times  with  his  father  and  an  older  brother 
at  carpentering,  this  making  him  a  fairly  good  mechanic. 
His  educational  opportunities  were  limited,  yet  his  brother 
John  finished  an  academic  course  without  a  teacher  and 
with  only  a  final  examination.  I.  K.  entered  the  Virginia 
Conference  in  1850  and  was  ordained  in  1853.  He  was 
first  placed  on  the  Hagerstown  circuit  as  junior.  Next  year 
he  was  on  the  Winchester  circuit.  Sixteen  appointments 
were  fdled  every  five  weeks  by  each  preacher,  and  though 
the  work  was  hard,  there  was  the  beginning  of  a  useful  life. 
Mr.  Statton  then  served  Mason,  Buckhannon,  Churchville, 
and  Meyersville.  He  was  next  ap|)ointed  a  missionary  to 
Kansas  and  solicited  donations  to  build  a  church  in  that 
new  country.  The  appointment  was  reconsidered  because 
of  political  excitement  and  border  warfare.  For  the  rest 
of  the  period  before  the  civil  war  his  fields  were  Frederick 
and  Hagerstown.  1858  was  a  banner  year  on  the  Frederick 
circuit,  there  being  150  conversions  and  over  100  acces- 
sions. Late  in  March,  1861,  he  took  a  train  for  Le  Harp, 
Illinois,  and  in  July  bought  forty  acres  at  St.  John,  Missouri, 
intending  to  retire  from  the  ministry.  Before  reaching 
their  destination  the  family  ran  upon  small  squads,  both 
of  Confederates  and  Unionists,  and  w^ere  comi)elled  to  turn 
back,  leaving  much  of  their  effects  in  the  road.  After  sun- 
dry discomforts  and  some  experiences  with  bills  emanating 
from  broken  banks,  they  got  back  to  Le  Harp,  their  per- 
sonal effects  now  reduced  to  one  trunk  and  one  small  box. 
Jose])h  Watson,  an  old  friend,  sent  him  an  invitation  to 
tak^^  Pine  Creek  circuit.  Rock  River  Conference.     Mr.  Stat- 


180 


UNITED    HHETIIHEN 


toil  accepted  at  once,  but  the  elder  had  i^iveii  the  place  to 
another  nian.  He  then  worked  in  the  harvest  field,  and 
three  months  as  a  supply  for  a  minister  smitten  with  sore 
eyes.  For  the  latter  service  he  received  ii\c  dollars  in 
money,  one  ham,  a  few  potatoes,  and  one  sack  of  flour.  At 
the  conference  Bishop  Markwood  replenished  his  em[)ty 
purse,  and  had  him  put  on  Princeton  station,  where  there 
were  nine  members  and  a  debt  of  $1,000.  Hut  he  had  a 
i^ood  year  and  the  largest  salary  he  had  yet  enjoyed, — $400. 
He  remained  in  the  West,  preaching  in  Illinois,  Iowa,  and 
California.  In  a  ministry  of  almost  fifty  years,  he  had 
preached  over  6000  times,  married  815  couples,  and  con- 
ducted 1,027  funerals,  some  of  suicides,  and  some  of  men 
killed  in  battle.  He  built  five  churches  and  i\\c  parsonages. 
He  had  moved  twenty-three  times,  was  Vwc  times  in  Gen- 
eral Conference,  and  entertained  that  body  once, — at  Lis- 
bon, Iowa.  Mr.  Station  remarks  in  his  letter  that  if  all  the 
people  to  whom  he  had  preached  were  "gathered  in  one 
congregation,  he  would  certainly  be  overwhelmed  with 
awful  thoughts  of  his  resi)onsibility." 

STOVKR:  George  Washington  Stover,  son  of  Joshua 
H.  and  Frances.  M.  Stover,  was  born  near  Mount  Pisaah 
Church,  Augusta  county,  Va.,  June  5,  1862.  He  studied 
two  years  at  the  Augusta  Military  Academy,  was  converted 
in  1892,  licensed  in  1893,  ordained  in  1896,  and  has  been 
an  itinerant  since  1896,  serving  Prince  William,  Jones 
Springs,  Staunton,  and  Winchester.  Mr.  Stover  studied 
medicine  and  passed  an  examination  in  1893. 

TABB:  Theodore  B.  Tabb  was  born  near  Hedges ville. 
West  Virginia,  and  was  drowned  June  17,  1909,  while  bath- 
ing at  a  seabeach  in  Japan.  He  was  converted  at  the  age 
of  fourteen,  and  was  graduated  from  the  Shenandoah  Col- 
legiate Institute  in  1901.  He  then  began  to  preach,  having 
been  licensed  1899.  In  1907  he  was  graduated  from  \^an- 
derbilt  University.  While  studying  here  he  felt  it  his  duty 
to  labor  in  Japan,  and  volunteered  for  that  field  a  few 
weeks  after  his  graduation,  sailing  for  Yokohama  in  July 


CHUHCH    HISTOHY 


187 


of  the  same  year.  He  was  installed  as  teacher  of  Knglish 
in  Hagi,  a  city  of  20,000  on  the  north  coast  of  the  princi])al 
island.  He  taught  here  two  years  meanwhile  conducting 
Bible  classes  among  the  students.  His  only  white  ac(fuaint- 
ances  in  the  city  was  an  old  French  Catholic  i)riest  who  be- 
came greatly  attached  to  him.  About  one  month  before 
his  untimely  death  he  accepted  the  principalship  of  a  large 
school  in  Korea.  By  the  Japanese  he  was  held  in  high 
esteem,  and  the  impression  he  made  on  them  was  excellent. 

TALLHELM:  Henry  Tallhelm  died  May  30,  1902  at 
the  age  of  seventy-eight.  He  joined  the  Virginia  Confer- 
ence in  1851,  and  a  year  later  was  appointed  to  Berkeley 
S])rings  circuit.  His  next  charges  were  Woodstock,  Lacey 
Springs,  Rockingham,  Pleasant  Grove,  Frederick  circuit, 
Tuscarora,  FLast  Virginia.  In  1871  he  was  granted  at  his 
own  request  an  honorable  dismissal  from  the  church  and 
conference.  He  then  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Beformed 
Church,  but  in  1900  he  returned  to  the  denomination  of 
his  first  choice,  spending  his  last  years  at  Fdinburg,  Vir- 
ginia. In  1859  he  was  married  to  Marrv  K.  Koontz.  Mr. 
Tallhelm  was  good,  humble,  i)eaceable,  and  faithful. 

THOMAS:  P.  H.  Thomas  was  born  in  Frederick  county, 
Maryland,  February  25,  181o,  and  died  near  Jones'  Springs, 
W.  Va.,  February  13,  1889.  Between  1867  and  1877,  he 
served  successively,  Winchester,  Martinsburg,  Singers  (ilen. 
Back  Creek,  and  Opequon.  Being  subse([uently  in  feeble 
health,  he  took  a  local  relation. 

UMSTOT:  Zimri  Umstot  was  a  native  of  what  is  now 
Mineral  county.  He  was  converted  when  about  twenty 
years  old,  and  received  (|uarterly  conference  license  in 
June,  1863.  He  was  kind  and  persuasive,  a  good  man  and 
fine  preacher.  He  was  of  fine  judgment  and  firm  in  his 
opinions.  Mr.  Umstot  died  August  26,  1883  at  the  age  of 
forty-three. 

UNDERWOOD:  I.  M.  Underwood  was  born  in  Tykr 
county,  West  Virginia,  in  1851,  converted  in  18()7,  and  in 


188 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


the  same  year  licensed.  He  entered  the  Parkersburi^  Con- 
ference in  1870  and  three  years  later  was  transferred  to 
this  conference.  Mr.  Underwood  made  himself  a  record 
as  a  firm  prohibitionist,  and  as  a  congressional  candidate 
of  the  Prohibition  party  in  1890  received  a  majority  of  the 
votes  in  the  town  where  he  was  living. 

WALTKRS:  J.  William  Walters  was  born  at  Lnray, 
Virginia,  August  18,  1812,  and  died  in  his  native  county, 
July  12,  1910.  He  was  converted  late  in  life,  but  soon  was 
given  a  ([uarterly  conference  license,  and  sometimes  had 
charge  ot"  a  circuit.  He  was  a  tluent  sj)eaker,  but  was 
guarded  in  his  social  conversation.  Also,  he  was  a  tireless 
worker  and  built  two  churches,  one  in  Page  comity  and 
one  in  Warren.  In  189,'^  he  joined  the  Virginia  Conference 
and  was  ordained  before  completing  his  course  of  reading. 
But  though  old  and  feeble,  he  kept  his  i)romise  and  at  the 
last  conference  he  attended  he  presented  his  ])a])ers  on 
the  fourth  year's  course  of  study. 

WALTON:  Arthur  P.  Walton  was  born  near  Mount 
Solon,  X'irginia,  in  187(),  and  converted  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen. He  was  licensed  in  189()  and  in  the  next  three  years 
had  built  three  churches. 

WELLER:  P.  W.  Welter  was  eight  years  a  member  of 
lliis  conference,  and  was  held  in  great  esteem  by  its  other 
mem])ers.  He  was  a  voung  man  of  earnest  and  faithful 
piety  and  high  ideals.  His  elevated  purpose  led  him  to 
enter  Lebanon  \'alley  (^.ollege,  and  then  to  continue^  his 
studies  in  Westtield  College  in  Illinois,  where  he  supported 
himself  by  teaching  music.  He  died  a  member  of  the 
senior  class  in  the  spring  of  1880.  The  Virginia  Conference 
made  an  appropriation  to  place  a  tombstone  over  his  grave. 

WIDMF^YER:  Joseph  E.  Widmeyer  was  born  July  21, 
185t),  and  died  May  8,  1881^.  He  was  converted  at  the  age 
of  fifteen  and  became  a  member  of  this  conference  in  187(). 
His  fields  were  Alleghany,  Highland,  and  South  Hranch 
circuits,  and  Westernport  and  Martinsburg  stations.     His 


CHERCff    HISTORY 


189 


last  year  was  the  most  successful.    In  1879  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Belle  Howe. 

WILT:  William  Abraham  Wilt  was  born  in  Snyder 
coLinly,  IV'iiii.,  September  1,  1888,  his  parents  being  John 
D.  and  Susan  (Hirkhart)  Wilt.  He  completed  his  educa- 
tion at  Sus([ueliamia  I'niversity  and  Honebrake  Theological 
Seminary,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  191,").  He  was  con- 
verted in  1901,  licensed  in  1912.  ordained  in  191.").  and  has 
been  four  v(*ars  an  itinerant,  serving  Harrisonburg  and 
Keyser. 

WINE:  Samuel  K.  Wine  was  born  in  west  Rockingham 
in  1852,  and  died  at  Eayettesville,  Penn.,  .lanuary  21,  1911. 
In  1875  he  graduated  from  Lebanon  Valley  College,  but 
studied  also  at  Otterbein  and  Princeton  univc^rsilies.  Among 
his  charges  in  this  conference  were  ()tt()l)ine.  Mount  CJin- 
ton.  Dayton,  Harrisonburg,  Strasburg,  and  Winchestei*. 
After  removing  to  Peimsylvanit  he  served  several  charges 
there.  Mr.  Wine  married  Miss  Lizzie  Keys,  of  Nc^w  P^n^c- 
tion  and  had  three  children. 

YOUNG:  Rolx'rt  Newton  Young  was  born  at  Wolver- 
hampton, England,  Augusta  18,  188.'),  and  was  educated 
in  Scotland.  He  was  licensed  in  1912  and  ordained  in  1921. 
His  charges  have  been  South  Branch,  Rayard,  Edinburg, 
Reliance,  and  Churchville.  The  wife  of  Mr.  Young  is  a 
native  of  Scotland.  Their  three  living  children  were  born 
in   the  United  States. 

ZAHN:  John  Zalin  was  a  member  of  the  (ieiieral  Con- 
ference of  1829,  and  was  present  in  the  Virginia  ConfiM'- 
ence  when  the  whole  Church  in  the  East  was  embraced 
in  the  Hagerstown  Conference.  He  i)reached  at  the  funeral 
of  P>isho])  Newcomer.  When  the  church  in  the  East  was 
all  in  one  conference  he  was  one  of  its  most  i)romising 
ministers.  At  the  time  of  his  death,— April  11.  18()l,--he 
was  one  of  the  oldest  preachers  in  the  church. 

ZEHRUNC:  Samuel  Zehrung,  born  May  9,  1812,  diid 
June  6,  1849,  was  buried  in  the  Funkhouser  burying  grounti 
on  Mill  Creek  near  Mount  Jackson. 


CHAPTEH  XXI 
EARLY  DEATHS  AMONG  MINISTERS 

The  proverb  that  death  loves  a  shinint^  mark  seems 
aj)pHcable  to  the  early  deaths  of  those  of  our  number  whose 
lii^ht  bei^an  to  shine  in  early  life. 

Peter  Whitesel,  whose  father's  house  in  Rockingham 
^vas  one  of  the  first  preaching  places  of  the  German  evange- 
lists, became  a  comi)anion  of  the  early  ministers,  married 
a  daughter  of  Hishop  Brown  of  Pennsylvania,  and  after 
seven  years  of  service  laid  down  his  life.  His  father  gave 
the  land  for  Whitesers  church,  the  first  house  of  worship 
built  bv  the  I'nited  Brethren  in  Virginia. 

John  Gibbons,  a  young,  bashful  boy,  embraced  religion 
at  a  camp  meeting  on  the  land  of  Peter  Ruebush,  near  his 
home  in  Augusta,  and  immediately  responded  to  the  call 
to  preach.  This  was  in  opposition  to  the  wish  of  the  family, 
who  were  not  of  the  church  he  joined.  Young  Gibbons 
could  preach  from  the  start,  and  a  most  promising  career 
appear  to  lie  before  him.  Yet  after  only  three  years  of 
ministerial  service  he  died  at  Burlington,  W.  Va.  Almost 
fifty  years  later  the  Conference  placed  a  monument  over 
his  grave  at  the  old  stone  church. 

In  the  same  year, — 1847, — Richard  Nihiser  died  a  most 
triumphant  death  at  Chewsville,  Maryland.  We  was  reared 
and  converted  near  Mount  Hebron,  Shenandoah  county. 
He  was  great  in  prayer  and  song,  pious  and  studious.  His 
bodv  was  interred  in  the  churchvard  at  St.  Paul's,  Hagers- 
town,  Maryland,  but  was  removed  to  help  make  room  for 
the  new  church  now  covering  the  spot. 

Jacob  A.  Bovey,  a  West  Virginian,  fell  a  victim  to 
typhoid  fever,  and  was  buried  at  Edinburg,  Virginia,  in 
November,  1859.  His  dying  message  was,  "Say  to  my 
brethren  I  die  in  the  faith  I  have  preached." 


CHURCH    HISTOHV 


191 


Samuel  Evers  died  in  June,  18(31,  just  as  the  war-clouds 
were  gathering.  He  was  undertaking  an  important  work 
as  teacher,  and  it  had  been  only  two  years  since  joining 
conference.  His  health  had  been  undermined  in  his  ett'orts 
to  secure  a  college  education.  He  was  buried  in  the  ceme- 
tery of  the  Union  Presbyterian  church  at  Cross  Keys. 

Under  privations  and  with  much  toil,  P.  W.  Weller  was 
])reparing  for  a  career  full  of  promise.  Yet  within  a  few 
weeks  from  the  time  when  he  was  to  receive  a  diploma 
from  the  college  at  Westtield,  he  was  called  to  his  long 
home. 

Dorsey  Freed,  son  of  the  Rev.  John  I).  Freed  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Maryland,  spent  several  years  in  college,  only  Jo 
leave  his  first  charge  and  die  at  his  father's  home  in  1876. 

Charles  M.  Hott,  the  brightest  of  a  bright  family,  an 
eloquent  i)reacher  and  charming  singer,  a  young  man  of 
splendid  ability  and  great  character,  served  but  one  pas- 
torate. He  was  then  called  to  become  a  college  preacher 
in  California,  but  after  a  few  months  was  called  home, 
leaving  a  wife  and  two  children. 

.Tames  E.  Whitesel,  son  of  Simon  Whitesel,  and  born 
in  1851,  was  a  most  conscientious  and  loyal  Christian.  He 
began  a  university  course  while  yet  in  his  teens,  and  after 
good  work  on  several  charges  was  sent  to  Churchville, 
where  he  built  a  church  that  was  the  best  in  the  conference 
at  the  time.  But  overworking  himself,  his  promising  career 
was  cut  short  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  by  typhoid  fever. 
His  body  rests  at  Whitesel's  chapel.  He  left  a  noble  wife 
and  three  little  children. 

At  the  same  place  and  in  the  same  house,  almost  exactly 
twelve  years  later,  died  William  O.  Ewing,  a  victim  to  the 
same  scourge.  He  also  left  three  little  children.  His  most 
estimable  wife  was  a  daughter  of  David  Hott. 

J.  E.  Widmeyer,  after  being  six  years  a  member  of  the 
conference,  fell  asleep  at  Newtown,  Virginia,  and  is  buried 


192 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


at  Winchester.  Never  strong,  he  could  not  resist  the 
insidious  attack  of  disease  following  a  winter  of  earnest 
revival  work.  His  wife,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  John  W. 
Howe,  and  two  little  children  were  sorely  hereft. 

Kingsley  F'uiik,  son  of  R.  \V.  Funk,  of  Singers  Glen,  was 
one  of  our  hrightest  j)rosj)ects  for  the  ministry  in  later 
years.  Hut  while  still  in  scliool  lie  fell  a  victim  to  influenza 
and  died  a  triumphant  death  in  H)1(S. 

In  contemplating  these  short  careers  one  instinctively 
asks  the  question:  Why  these  untimely  deaths?  Although 
the  veil  cannot  he  pierced  to  learn  the  answer,  the  labors  of 
these  men  were  not  without  result.  "Their  works  do  fol- 
low them." 


CHAPTER  XXn 
CHURCH  DEDICATIONS 

Note:  "Built  by"  refers  to  the  minister  in  whose  pas- 
torate the  church  was  built.  "Built  through"  refers  to  the 
person  or  persons  mainly  instrumental  in  effecting  the 
work. 

Alpine,  Berkeley  Springs  circuit:  built  by  C.  D.  Bennett; 
dedicated  August  6,  1905,  by  A.  S.  Hammack;  cost,  $550. 

Antioch,  on  New  Creek  circuit;  built  by  J.  H.  Brunk, 
1899,  dedicated  by  Bishop  Weaver;  cost,  $1,000;  a  school- 
house  previously  used  forty  years. 

Bayard:  built  by  W.  S.  Rau;  dedicated  by  H.  H.  Fout, 
November  19,  1906;  cost,  $2,100. 

Belmont:  dedicated  1884,  by  A.  P.  Funkhouser;  cost, 

$1,000.  ^    ^^^   __ 

Berkeley  Springs  station;  frame;  built  by  G.  W.  Howe, 
1869;  dedicated  1870  by  Bishop  Weaver;  cost,  $1,000; 
second  church  (concrete  block)  built  by  Geo,  P.  Hott;  dedi- 
cated  June,  30,  1907,  by  Bishop  J.  S.  Mills;  cost,  $6^78.84; 
parsonage  (concrete  block)  built  1903  by  E.  E.  Neff ;  cost, 

$4,200.  ,      ,, 

Bethel,  on  Toms  Brook  circuit;  built  by  Henry  Jones; 

cost,    $800.  r     i,ii      r:^ 

Bethel,  on  Lacev  Springs  circuit;  built  by  J.  M.  Eavy; 
built  through  A.  C.  Long  and  Betty  Flook;  dedicated  by 
J  W.  Howe  about  1889;  cost  $1,000;  preaching  for  many 
years  previously  in  the  old  school  Lutheran  near  by. 

Bethlehem;  brick;  built  through  the  Shueys;  dedicated 
by  Bishop  Glossbrenner,  cost,  $1,300;  one  of  the  first 
preaching  points  in  the  valley;  at  this  place  during  the 
Annual  Conference  in  1852  Bishop  Glossbrenner  took  the 
first  missionary  offering  ever  taken  in  the  denomination. 
Bishop  Erb  presiding;  second  church  ^^"^1*  ^^  i^'  A; ^7^" 
Guire;  dedicated  by  A.  S.  Hammack  September  21st,  1918; 

cost,  $7,320. 


194 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Big  Pool:  built  by  M.  D.  Mayselles;  built  throui>li  N.  E. 
Funkhouser;  dedicated  August,  1911,  by  A.  S.  Haiiimack; 
cost,  $1,500. 

Blairton:  built  by  J.  H.  Ford;  dedicated  April  14,  1918, 
by  Bishop  W.  M.  Bell;  cost,  $12,000. 

Bluff  Dale,  Albemarle  circuit;  dedicated  by  J.  \V.  Howe. 

Bridgewater:   originally   the   private   property   of  

Hoover,  with  entrance  at  rear;  after  Hoover  was  drowned, 
bought  from  executors  about  1858  with  money  raised  by 
J.  Markwood  and  wife;  never  much  congregation;  sold  by 
quarterly  conference  and  Act  of  Assembly  through  J.  \V. 
Howe;  of  proceeds,  40  per  cent  given  to  Augusta  circuit 
parsonage  at  Spring  Hill,  60  per  cent  to  district  parsonage 
at  Dayton,  the  first  and  only  presiding  elder  parsonage; 
cost,  $500. 

Broadway:  built  by  C.  D.  Helbert;  dedicated  by  Bishop 
Dickson,  1891;  cost,  $1,500. 

Buckhall,  Prince  William  circuit:  built  by  A.  V.  Van- 
dersmith;  dedicated  by  A.  S.  Hammack,  February  18th, 
1905;  cost,  about  $1,000. 

Buck  Hill,  Jones  Spring  circuit:  built  by  J.  G.  Ketchem; 
dedicated  July,  1911,  by  W.  F.  Gruver;  cost,  $600. 

Cabin  Run,  West  Frederick  circuit:  weatherboarded  and 
plastered;  built  probably  by  B.  Stickley;  improved  by  W.  J. 
Miller  about  1875;  cost,  $600. 

Cedar  Grove:  dedicated  by  J.  D.  Dona  van,  about  1888; 
cost,  $500. 

Cherr>^  Grove:  built  by  W.  F.  Gruver  and  J.  D.  Dona- 
van;  dedicated  about  1890  by  J.  N.  Fries;  cost,  $600. 

Cherry  Run:  built  by  D.  G.  Brimlow,  1914;  dedicated 
November  1st,  by  A.  S.  Hammack. 

Church ville:  built  by  J.  E.  Whitesel,  1878;  dedicated  by 
Z.  Warner;  cost,  $3,500;  old  church  built  in  partnership 
with  the  Methodists. 

Clay  Hill,  Rockbridge  circuit:  built,  1856;  dedicated  by 
Bishop  Glossbrenner;  cost,  $600. 

Claysville,  New  Creek  circuit:  built  by  William  Fout, 
about  1850-55. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


195 


Colvinstown,   Edinburg   circuit:   built  by  J.   D.   Freed, 
1872;  dedicated  by  Bishop  Weaver;  cost,  $1,500. 

Crabbottom,  Pendleton  circuit:  dedicated  1902,  by 
A.  P.  Funkhouser. 

Cumberland:  built  by  A.  J.  Secrist;  dedicated  December 
20th,  1908,  by  W.  F.  Gruver;  cost,  $6,604.81. 

Dayton:  dedicated  June,  1878  by  BiJiops  Glossbrenner 
and  Hott;  cost,  $2,500;  built  by  A.  P.  Funkhouser;  burnt 
down  1904;  second  (brick)  dedicated  1904,  by  Bishop  W. 
M.  Weekley;  cost,  $6,100;  addition  dedicated  by  Bishop 
W.  M.  Bell  April  14th,  1918;  cost,  $5,000. 

East  Point:  dedicated  about  1895  by  J.  W.  Hicks;  cost, 
$1,000;  preaching  in  free  church  near  by  for  at  least  forty 
years;   Noah  Shuler   (?)    a  member  of  first  congregation. 

Edinburg:  built  1850;  cost,  $500. 

Fountain:  built  by  C.  P.  Dyciie;  dedicated  May  6th, 
1906,  by  George  P.  Hott;  cost,  $i,495. 

Fern  Hill,  Swift  Run  circuit:  built  by  Carl  W.  Hiser 
and  E.  E.  Miller,  1919;  cost,  $1,350. 

Fairview,  at  Laymansville:  built  by  J.  F.  Snyder,  1900; 
dedicated  by  H.  H.  Fout;  frame;  cost,  $1,200;  seating 
capacity,  300. 

Fairview:  built,  1869  by  P.  H.  Thomas,  dedicated  by 
Bishop  Glossbrenner;  cost,  $1,000;  class  now  disbanded. 

Fairview:  built  by  W.  L.  Childress,  1896;  dedicated  by 
A.  P.  Funkhouser. 

Friendship:  first  church  built  1867  by  J.  W.  Howe  (?), 
cost,  $800;  second  by  C.  H.  Crowell  about  1890;  cost,  $1,000. 

Friendship,  Inwood  circuit:  built  by  W.  J.  Lower,  1868; 

cost,  $1,000. 

Greensburg:  first  church  (brick)  built  about  1878  by 
J.  W.  Kiracofe,  cost,  $1,500;  second,  built  1889  by  W.  F. 
Gruver;  dedicated  by  J.  D.  Donavan;  cost,  $2,500;  pre- 
vious preaching  in  a  log  church  burned  during  the  war; 
brick  parsonage  built  by  J.  W.  Howe,  1874,  at  cost  of  $1,500. 

Greenway:  built  by  S.  K.  Wine,  1899;  dedicated  by  Dr. 
Carter;  cost,  $1,200. 


19G 


UNITED    BHETHHEN 


Grove  Hill:  dedicated  by  J.  W.  Howe  about  18()7;  new 
church  dedicated  1894;  cost,  $1,000. 

Harrisonburg:  first  church  built  1896-97;  second  church 
(stone)  built  1917-18;  dedicated  June  1st,  1918,  by  Bishop 
W.  M.  Weekley;  cost,  $93,000;  construction  nianat>er,  E.  C. 
Wine;  buildini,^  committee,  F.  W.  Liskey,  J.  R.  Liskey, 
D.  H.  Liskey,  W.  I.  Good,  and  J.  K.  Pifer;  parsonai^^e  built 
1911;  cost,  $3,600. 

Herwin  Chapel:  built  near  Linville  by  G.  B.  Fadeley; 
dedicated  by  W.  L.  Childress,  1899;  cost,  $800. 

Hazlewood,  on  Prince  William  circuit:  boui^^ht  1895 
from  Presbyterians  for  $120. 

Hishman,  Hardy  circuit:  built  by  G.  A.  McGuire,  and 
T.  J.  Coffman;  dedicated  August  18th,  1917,  by  A.  S.  Ham- 
mack;  cost,  $1,300. 

In  wood:  built  by  P.  B.  S.  Busey,  1895;  dedicated  by 
Bishop  Kephart;  cost,  $1,500;  parsonage  built  by  Busey, 
1897,  at  cost  of  $1,000;  practically  rebuilt  1915. 

Jenkins  Chapel,  Hardy  circuit:  struck  by  lightning  and 
burned  to  the  ground  1918;  no  insurance;  restoration  be- 
gun by  T.  J.  CoHman;  built  bv  B.  F.  Spitzer;  dedicated  bv 
\\.  G.  Clegg  1920;  cost,  $1,500. 

Johnsontown,  W.  Va.,  Christian  church  bought  and  re- 
modeled under  leadership  of  I.  Summers;  dedicated  June 
25th,  1916. 

Keezletown:  built  about  1850  on  land  given  by  Amos 
Keezle;  second  church  by  S.  L.  Baugher;  dedicated  by  A.  S. 
Hammack,  November  25,  1917;  cost,  $1,100. 

Keplinger  Chapel  in  Brock's  Gap:  log,  built  through 
George  Keplinger;  dedicated  by  Bishop  Markwood  about 
1858;  cost,  $500. 

Kessell,  South  Branch  circuit:  built  by  J.  W.  Wright, 
1917;   dedicated  by  A.  S.   Hammack;   cost,  $2,300. 

Keyser:  first  church  (frame)  dedicated  August  7th, 
1904,  by  Bishop  W.  M.  Weekley;  cost,  $5,350;  built  by  S. 
R.  Ludwig;  second  church  corner  stone  laid  September  4th, 
1921;  to  be  built  of  white  vitrified  brick;  to  cost  $60,000; 
W.  A.  W^ilt,  pastor. 


CHURCH    HISTOHY 


197 


Lacey   Springs:   built   through  A.   C.  Long;    dedicatea 
about  1877;  cost,  about  $3,800. 

Marlinsburg  mission  station  begun  1867,  worshiping  in 
Ridenour's  stone  house  till  a  church  was  completed  the 
same  year,  and  with  Smoketown,  Greensburg,  and  Friend- 
ship as  outside  appointments;  the  old  churcli  followed  by 
a  new;  pastors— W.  J.  Lower  (1867-70),  J.  W.  Howe 
(1871-5),  A.  M.  Evers  (1875-6),  J.  K.  Nelson  (1878-80),  .1. 
E.  Weidmeyer  (1880),  J.  M.  Underwood  (1881),  ,1.  I). 
Donovan  (1882),  M.  F.  Keiter  (1883),  M.  D.  Maysdles 
(1884),  J.  R.  Ridenour  (1885-9),  .1.  B.  Chamlxriain  1891- 
95),  ().  W.  Burlner  (1895),  J.  F.  Snyd-r  (189()),  W.  F. 
Gruver.  New  church  dedicated  October  8,  1912  by  Bishop 
T.  C.  Carter;  built  by  W.  F.  Gruver;  cost,  $21,000. 

Manassas:  church  and  parsonage  bought  of  the  Metho- 
dists through  efforts  of  L.  C.  Messick,  1917. 

Midland  in  Prince  William  county:  built  by  G.  \\'. 
Stover;  dedicated  by  A.  P.  Funkhouser  about  1893;  cost. 
$1,000. 

Mount  Bethel,  Augusta  circuit:  built  by  G.  W.  Rexroad 
1890;  dedicated  by  A.  P.  Funkhouser;  cost,  $1,000. 

Mount  Carmel:  built  by  J.  W.  Hicks  in  second  year  of 
his  pastorate;  cost,  $800. 

Mount  Carmel:  built  1873  by  James  Whitesel,  dedicated 
by  Bishop  Edwards;  brick;  cost,  $2,000;  seating  capacity, 

350. 

Mount  Carmel  in  Brock's  Gaj):  built  by  M.  F.  Keiter; 

dedicated  about  1877  by  J.  K.  Nelson;  cost,  $300. 

Mount  Clinton:  built  by  J.  W.  Howe;  dedicated  by 
Bishop  Hott,  October,  1880;  cost,  $1,300. 

Mount  Hebron,  Toms  Brook  circuit:  built  by  J.  Rue- 
bush  about  1846;  dedicated  by  Bishop  Glossbrenner;  cost. 
$1,000;  preaching  for  many  years  in  Bhnd's  log  school- 
house  near  the  church,  on  the  land  of  Jacob  Funkhouser. 
father  of  G.  W.  Station's  first  wife;  third  church  built  1897, 
by  L.  W.  Lutz,  dedicated  by  J.  D.  Donavan,— a  frame  build- 
ing seating  250  and  costing  $650;  remodeled  by  F.  B.  Chubb 
1915;  cost,  $2,250. 


198 


UNITED    BHEJHKEX 


Mount  Hebron,  West  Frederick  circuit:  built  by  George 
McGuire;  dedicated  by  A.  S.  Hammack,  July,  1911;  cost, 
.$700. 

Mount  Hernion,  Edinburg  circuit:  built  by  J.  W.  Hicks; 
cost,  $800. 

Mount  Horeb:  built  through  M.  G.  Jones;  dedicated  by 
Bishop  Edwards,  1878;  cost,  $1,500. 

Mount  Ohve:  built  1885  by  Snowden  Scott,  dedicated 
by  J.  \V.  Hicks;  frame;  cost,  $1,000;  seating  capacity,  250. 

Mount  Olive:  built  1869  (?)  by  J.  K.  Nelson;  cost,  $800; 
])reaching  many  years  in  Jenkins'  schoolhouse. 

Mount  Pisgah,  Augusta  circuit:  log  church  built  by 
Jacob  C.  Spitler  about  1850;  cost,  $500;  second  by  S.  K. 
Wine,  1881;  cost,  $1,200;  dedicated  by  C.  I.  B.  Brane. 

Mount  Pleasant  station:  built  by  H.  Tallhelm  about 
1870;  dedicated  by  Bishop  Weaver;  cost,  $1,000. 

Mount  Pleasant,  Berkeley  Springs  circuit:  built  1870; 
cost,  $500. 

Mount  Pleasant,  West  Frederick  circuit:  built  about 
1857  by  I.  Baltzell;  cost,  $500. 

Mount  Solon,  Tom*s  Brook  circuit:  built  by  F.  B.  Chubb; 
dedicated  by  A.  S.  Hammack,  May  28th,  1916;  cost,  $1,250. 

Mount  Tabor:  built  before  Lacey  Springs. 

Mount  Tabor,  Berkeley  Springs  circuit;  re-dedicated  by 
A.  S.  Hammack,  September  Pith,  1909;  S.  D.  Skelton, 
j)astor. 

Mount  View,  Churchville  circuit:  dedicated  August  4th, 
1901;  cost,  $850. 

Mount  Vernon,  at  Shendun:  log;  built  through  

Spitler,  1828;  second,  dedicated  by  Bishop  Glossbrenncr, 
1878;  cost,  $1,000. 

Mount  Zion,  Elkton  circuit:  dedicated  by  J.  W.  Howe 
about  1870;  cost,  $300;  new  church  dedicated  by  C.  I.  B. 
Brane,  1898;  cost,  $1,000. 

Mount  Zion:  built  by  Levi  Hess,  1855;  dedicated  by 
Bishop  Markwood;  cost,  $1,000. 

Mount  Zion,  New  Creek  circuit:  built  by  W.  J.  Miller 
about  1875;  dedicated  by  Bishop  Weaver;  cost  $1,000. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


19» 


Mount  Zion  above  Mount  Solon:  dedicated  by  J.  Mark- 
wood  1849,  a  great  revival  immediately  following,  con- 
ducted bv  W.  Knott  and  G.  Huil'man;  cost,  $800. 

Mount  Zion,  Rockbridge  circuit:  dedicated  by  A.  S. 
Hammack  June  1903;  construction  begun  by  W.  S.  Ran, 
completed  by  brethren  of  the  api)ointment,  led  by  C.  S. 
Yago;  cost,  $1,000. 

Naked  Creek:  built  about  1875;  dedicated  by  J.  W. 
Howe;  cost,  $500. 

"""Otterbein:  built  about  1834  on  land  donated  by  David 
Whitmore;  Jacob  Miller,  carpenter. 

Otterbein,  Albemarle  circuit:  built  1875  (?);  cost,  $300. 

Otterbein:  first  church  built  by  W.  J.  Miller,  1870;  cost 
$600;  second  by  W.  H.  Sampsell  1898:  cost,  $1,000. 

Otterbein:  Edinburg  Circuit;  old  time  church;  first 
building  built  about  1840;  second  church  built  by  F.  B. 
Chubb;  dedicated  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Funkhouser,  September  9th. 
1914.    Mr.  ().  Funkhouser  gave  the  pipe  organ;  total  value, 

$6,000. 

Petersburg,  W.  Va.:  built  by  J.  W.  Stearn;  dedicated 
June  18th,  1917,  by  Bishop  W.  M.  W\^ekley;  G.  H.  WHiitesel, 
construction  manager;  cost,  $9,750. 

Pikeside,  Inwood  circuit:  built  by  W.  D.  Mitchell,  dedi- 
cated August  10th,  1913. 

Pleasant  Grove:  built  1838,  and  $300  raised  the  day  of 
dedication;  logs  hewn  in  the  woods  near  by,  those  for  the 
south  side  being  given  by  the  father  of  FLlijah  Huffman, 
those  for  the  east  by  Jacob  and  Peter  Whitesel,  those  for 
the  west  by  Abram  Funkhouser,  those  for  the  north  by 
Jacob  Pifer;  each  party  gave  six  of  the  24  benches;  dedica- 
tion by  Reeser;  pulpit  at  first  on  north  side;  Pifer  a  car- 
penter and  worked  on  the  church;  George  Huft'man  and 
William  Knott  had  a  great  revival  here;  new  church  built 
by  A.  J.  Secrist;  dedicated  1915  by  A.  S.  Hammack;  L.  W. 
Swank  a  leader  in  the  work;  cost,  $2,400. 

Pleasant  Hill,  Jones  Spring  Circuit:  dedicated  by  Bishop 
Weekley,  August  1st,  1915;  built  by  D.  G.  Brimlow;  cost, 
$1,200. 


200 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Pkasant  Plain,  Inwood  circuit;  built  by  J.  R.  Ridenour, 

i88r). 

Pleasant  Valley:  first  church  built  1860;  burned  1862; 
second  built  by  P.  H.  Thomas,  1868;  dedicated  by  Bishop 
(ilossbrenner;  cost,,  $1,000. 

Prize  Hill,  Albemarle  circuit:  finished  by  W.  S.  Rau, 
1806;  dedicated  by  A.  P.  Funkhouser;  cost  $700. 

Red  P>ud,  Inwood  Circuit:  built  1882  by  John  M.  Hott; 
cost  $1,000;  reopened  by  J.  W.  Howe,  1806. 

Reed's  Creek,  Franklin  circuit:  built  by  A.  P.  Walton 
1808;  cost,  $500. 

Ridings  Chapel:  built  about  1888;  cost,  $1,000. 

Riverton,  W.  Va.:  built  by  J.  W.  Prill,  1000. 

Ridi>ely:  built  1016  throui^h  the  instrumentality  of  the 
Viriiinia  C.  E.  Society;  cost,  $3,000.  Tabernacle  built  by 
H.  ¥..  Richardson  and  dedicated  by  A.  S.  Hammack. 

Ridings  Chapel.  Frederick  circuit:  built  by  J.  C.  S. 
Myers;  dedicated  September  6th,  1008  by  A.  S.  Hammack; 
cost,  $1,802. 

Roanoke:  first  church  built  by  S.  L.  Rice,  1805;  a  second 
church  was  built  in  X.  \V.  Roanoke,  and  discontinued  in 
1006;  a  new  church  was  re-located  and  built  by  C.  H. 
Crowell;  dedicated  September  20th,  1007,  by  Dr.  Parrett; 
cost,  $15.:i72. 

Salem,  near  Singers  Glen:  built  during  civil  war  and 
dedicated  by  Rishop  Glossbrenner;  probably  the  only  United 
Brethren  church  built  within  the  Confederacy;  old  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church  at  Green  Hill  bought  and  moved 
to  Salem;  built  bv  J.  W.  Howe  and  W.  J.  Miller;  cost,  $500. 

Salem,  Klkton  circuit:  built  by  J.  H.  Brunk;  dedicated 
November  16th,  1002;  cost,  $800. 

Salem,  Inwood  circuit;  built  1870;  reopened  October 
i:3th,  1007,  by  W.  F.  Gruver. 

Shady  Grove:  dedicated  by  Bishoi)  Weaver  about  1870, 
after  payment  had  been  hanging  so  long  that  Presiding 
Folder  Howe  had  the  quarterly  conference  authorize  a  sale; 
debt  paid  by  new  subscribers;  cost,  $1,000. 

Shiloh:  built  by  W.  H.  Clary  about  1844;  cost,  $800; 
second  church  built  1017  by  F.  B.  Chubb;  cost  $1,400. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


201 


Singers  Glen:  built  jointly  by  United  Brethren  and  Bap- 
tists, the  Baptist  interest  being  afterward  purchased;  dedi- 
cated about  1881;  cost  about  $1,000;  second  church  (brick), 
Dona  van  Memorial,  built  by  J.  H.  l^runk;  dedicated  May 
27,  1006  by  E.  U.  Hoenshell;  cost,  $5,650. 

Sir  John's  Run:  built  by  W.  L.  Childress  1807;  cost, 
$1,000. 

South  Mill  Creek,  Franklin  circuit:  built  by  A.  P. 
Walton,  1800;  cost,  $550. 

Smith's  Creek,  Franklin  circuit:  built  by  A.  P.  Walton, 
1800;  cost,  $800. 

St.  John's,  Franklin  circuit:  built  by  J.  W.  Stearn;  dedi- 
cated by  A.  S.  Hammack,  1006. 

Staunton:  First  church  sold  to  Church  of  the  Breth- 
ren; second  bought  of  the  Baptists,  1004;  cost,  $4,000;  re- 
modeled 1005;  valued  at  $16,000. 

Stokesville,  Churchville  circuit;  built  1005;  cost,  $600; 
dedicated  by  A.  S.  Hammack. 

Swift  Run;  dedicated  1870;  log;  cost,  $300;  second  by 
J.  W.  Brill;  built  about  1000. 

Sharon,  at  Reliance:  first  church  built  by  P.  H.  Thomas 
18(i0  at  cost  of  $700,  dedicated  by  J.  W.  Howe;  second,  by 
J.  E.  Hott,  1887;  cost  $1,000;  first  preceded  by  partnership 

church. 

Shenandoah  City:  dedicated  1806;  cost,  $1,500. 

Spring  Hill,  Augusta  circuit:  built  through  William  Pat- 
terson, about  1828;  cost,  $1,000. 

Sunrise:  built  1885;  cost,  $1,000. 

Tabor:  built  1854;  cost,  $600. 

44iompson  (?):  built  by  W.  J.  Miller;  dedicated  about 
1875;  log;  cost,  $300. 

Toms  Brook:  built  by  M.  F.  Keiter  about  1875;  cost, 
$1,500;  parsonage  built  by  R.  Byrd  about  1801;  cost  $1,000. 

Tye  River,  Augusta  circuit:  built  by  A.  Hoover,  dedi- 
cated bv  J.  W.  Howe,  1870;  log;  cost,  $300. 

Union  Chapel:  built  through  D.  W.  Brenneman  about 
1885;  cost,  $1,000. 

Union  Chapel:  built  by  W.  R.  Berry,  1888;  dedicated 
by  J.  W.  Howe;  cost,  $1,000. 


202 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Verona;  dedicated  by  J.  W.  Howe  1890;  cost,  $800; 
second  church  built  by  J.  C.  S.  Myers  and  W.  S.  Rau;  dedi- 
cated by  W.  F.  Gruver,  May  31st,  1908;  cost,  $3,250. 

Walker's  Creek:  built  1852;  the  Presbyterian  half- 
interest  bought  out. 

Westernport:  built  by  I.  M.  Underwood,  about  1879-80. 
Rebuilt. 

Whitesel's:  built  about  1824;  deed  made  some  years 
later  by  Peter  Whitesel  to  George  Whitesel,  Simon  Wliite- 
sel,  and  George  Lutz;  this  log  church  rebuilt  after  a  great 
revival,  the  first  meeting  being  led  by  C.  W.  Stinespring, 
about  1874  at  cost  of  $500;  weatherboarded,  new  windows, 
change  of  pulpit  and  benches;  Daniel  Sandy  (?)  one  of  the 
principal  movers  in  this;  new  church  built  about  1891)  and 
dedicated  by  Bishop  Hott;  cost,  $1,000. 

Winchester:  built  by  G.  W.  Howe,  1872;  dedicated  by 
Bishop  Edwards;  cost,  $2,500;  parsonage  built  by  J.  R. 
Ridenour  during  his  second  year's  pastorate;  at  cost  of 
$1,000. 

Yocum,  Franklin  circuit:  built  by  J.  W.  Stearn;  dedi- 
cated September  13th,  1914,  by  A.  S.  Hammack;  cost, 
$1,200. 


CHAPTER  XXHI 


SKETCH  OF  ABRAM  PAl  L  FUNKHOl SER 

In  our  ])resent  sketch  we  find  a  life  so  varied  and  a 
character  so  full  of  the  desire  to  helj)  humanity  that  no 
mere  statement  of  facts  can  convey  |)roperly  the  far-reach- 
ing influence  of  his  life.  Imbued  with  an  intense  interest 
in  his  fellow-men,  he  strove  in  every  i)ossible  way  to  aid 
in  their  moral  and  mental  ui)lift.  Into  the  brief  outline 
of  his  life  which  follows  must  he  read  the  ambition  of  a 
far-seeing   man   to  be  a  worth-while  citizen. 

Abram  Paul  Funkhouser  was  born  December  10.  1853 
near  Dayton,  Virginia.  His  mother  was  Elizabeth  Paul; 
his  father  Samuel  Funkhouser.  In  his  youth  he  attended 
private  schools  and  afterwards  was  graduated  from  Otter- 
bein  University,  where  he  received  his  Bachelor's  de^ri'e. 
Later  he  received  the  Master's  degree  from  Lebanon  College 
and  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  York  College. 

Immediately  following  his  graduation,  he  founded  Shen- 
andoah Institute  at  Dayton,  Virginia,  and  for  several  years 
was  president  of  this  school.  During  four  years  he  was 
superintendent  of  public  schools  in  Rockingham  and 
brought  the  educational  interests  of  the  county  to  a  high 
state  of  efficiency.  Later  he  was  president  of  Leander 
Clark  College  of  Iowa  and  of  Lebanon  Valley  College  at 
Annville,  Pennsylvania.  For  two  years  he  acted  as  assist- 
ance to  President  Forst  of  Berea  College,  Kentucky.  Into 
this  work  he  entered  with  the  greatest  enthusiasm,  fulfill- 
ing as  it  did  his  own  ideas  in  regard  to  vocational  training. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  financing  a  student  at  Berea. 

By  nature  Dr.  Funkhouser  was  deeply  religious  imd  at 
an  early  age  was  converted  and  joined  the  United  Brethren 
church.  Shortly  thereafter  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Virginia  Conference.  He  was  known  as  the  ''Boy  Preacher" 
at  the  aae  of  sixteen  when  he  delivered  his  first  sermon 
at  Mt.  Solon,  Virginia  in  1869.    Subsequently  he  had  charge 


204 


UNITED    F3RETHREN 


of  several  circuits  in  the  Virginia  Conference,  displaying 
eiTiciency  and  executive  ability.  He  then  became  presiding 
elder  of  the  South  Branch  District  and  was  one  of  the  most 
conspicuous  delegates  in  the  General  Conference.  For 
years  he  was  a  trustee  of  the  United  Brethren  Publishing 
Board.  In  1897  he  was  chosen  associate  editor  of  the 
**Religious  Telescope." 

The  activities  of  Dr.  Funkhouser  found  expression  in 
political  and  civic  interests  as  well  as  in  the  spheres  of 
religion  and  education.  In  1883  he  moved  to  Harrisonburg, 
Virginia,  and  began  issuing  'The  People,"  which  name  was 
later  changed  to^Tlie  State  Republican."    This  journal  was 
one  of  tlie  leading  state  j)apers  of  Virginia,  taking  for  its 
chief  issues  prohibition  and  clean  politics.   When  the  Read- 
juster  party  arose,  he  began  taking  a  prominent  part  in  the 
pohtics  of  his  native  state,  allying  himself  with  the  Republi- 
can i)arty.     In  1887  when  General  Mahone  was  candidate 
for  governor  of  Virginia   he  canvassed  almost   the  vui'wc 
state^in  his  behalf  and  also  did  a  great   deal  of  editorial 
Avriting.    In  another  cami)aign  he  made  a  race  for  a  seat  in 
the  state  senate  and  though  the  odds  were  greatly  against 
him.  he  was  defeated  by  fewer  than  ninety  votes. 

In  189()  Dr.  Funkhouser  originated  the  idea  of  a  C()n- 
federate  excursion  to  Canton,  Ohio,  the  residence  of  Wil- 
liam McKinley,  then  the  Republican  nominee  for  President. 
Though    almost    unaided    in    his    plan,    he    chartered    three 
trains  and  these  carried  two  thousand  veterans  and  their 
sons  to  the  Republican  Mecca.     It  was  during  this  presiden- 
tial campaign  that  Dr.  Funkhouser  was  mentioned  strongly 
for  the  position  of  Postmaster  General  in  McKinley's  cabi- 
net.    In  1897  he  became  postmaster  of  Harrisonburg,  Vir- 
ginia, and  filled  this  position  for  eight  years.     In  his  term 
and  because  of  his  efforts  Rockingham  was  the  first  county 
in  the  United  States  to  be  given  a  complete  system  of  free 
rural  mail  delivery. 

His  civic  spirit  is  shown  in  his  purchase  of  the  prooei  tv 
that  became  the  Assembly  Park.  Under  his  leadership  a 
tabernacle  and  (;ottages  were  built  and  the  first  Chautauqua 
in  this  part  of  Virginia  became  a  successful  enterprise. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


205 


His  talent  and  ability  qualified  him  for  adventure  in 
various  forms  of  important  enterprise,  and  with  energy 
and  enthusiasm  he  aspired  to  reach  the  limit.  He  con- 
side  red  no  discouragement,  paused  at  no  obstacle,  waited 
for  no  council,  and  listened  for  no  applause.  Under  the 
lash  of  criticism  he  refused  to  wince  and  whine.  He  was 
a  preacher,  educator  and  organizer,  with  power  to  com- 
mand recognition.  His  mind  was  brilliant,  and  it  was  a 
])l(asure  to  hear  him  speak. 

Tlie  wife  of  Dr.  Funkhouser  was  Miss  Minnie  King, 
from  Westerville.  Ohio.  Their  children  are  Mrs.  Jessie 
P.  Roudabush,  Samuel  K.  Funkhouser,  Mrs.  Mary  W. 
Rouers,  and  Fdward  K.  I'lmkhouser.  He  was  a  kind  hus- 
band and  father  and  the  Funkhouser  home  was  a  hapj)y 
f)ne. 


* 


As  specimens  of  Dr.  FunkhouseFs  literary  efforts,  we 
present  his  address  on  '*()ur  (Tiurch  Centenary,"  delivc^red 
at  Lebanon  Valley  College,  December  10,  187.'^,  while  yiT 
a  college  student,  and  his  fraternal  address  to  the  Genenil 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Protestiuit  Church,  May 
24,  1912. 

OUH  CHIHCH  CENTENAIU' 

One  hundred  years  ago,  the  blessings  of  civil  and  religi- 
ous liberty  did  not  crown  our  country  as  they  do  to-day. 
Washington, — the  greatness  of  whose  character  every  one 
knows, — had  not  yet  led  the  American  army  to  victory. 
The  galling  yoke  of  oppression  bore  heavily  upon  our 
ancestors.  The  republic  had  not  yet  been  established. 
Everywhere,  the  people  were  rising  against  tyranny,  and 
our  political  horizon  was  dark.  Nor  was  this  darkness 
coniined  alone  to  the  political  aspects  of  the  country.  In 
a  great  measure,  the  Church  had  lost  her  original  purity; 
form  had  taken  the  place  of  power.  F^xperimental  religion 
was  unknown  even  to  many  leading  members  of  the 
Church.  Yet  there  were  some  worthy  exceptions.  Noble 
men    and    women,    in    dift'erent    [)arts   of     the     land,    were 


206 


UNITED    13HETHHEN 


endeavoriiii^  to  arouse  and  awaken   the  Cluirch  from  her 
lethargy. 

Prominent  amoni^  these  ilhistrious  workers  were  found 
Wilham  Otterbein.  Martin  Hoehm,  George  Geeting,  and 
others,  wlio  by  tlieir  zeal  in  good  works  and  their  untiring 
energy  brought  many  souls  to  Christ  and  thus  laid  the 
foundation  of  the  Chureh  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
And  now  we  are  about  to  be  ealled  upon  to  celebrate  prop- 
erly the  one  hundredth  year  of  her  existence. 

Let  us  take  a  glance  at  her  history  up  to  the  present 
time.  For  years  Otterbein  and  his  co-laborers  directeci 
tlieir  eti'orts  alone  to  the  conversion  of  souls.  Consecpieiitly 
most  of  the  converts  were  gathered  into  other  churches. 
Hut  from  the  time  Otterbein  clasi)ed  Hoehm  in  his  arms 
and  exclaimed.  "AVe  are  brethren,"  they  looked  forward 
to  organic  union.  Hut  this  was  not  attempted  until  years 
after.  At  the  great  meeting  at  Isaac  Long's,  God  i)()ured 
out  his  spirit  upon  the  vast  assembly,  composed  of  mem- 
bers of  many  churches  and  of  as  many  different  opinions. 
From  this  meeting  the  revival  intluence  spread  in  many 
directions.  A  few  |)reachers  were  raised  up,  who  carried 
the  gospel  into  the  states  of  Maryland  and  Virginia.  Some 
of  their  earnest  workers  emigrated  to  Ohio  and  soon  raised 
the  gospel  banner  in  the  then  Far  West.  Large  meetinuis 
were  held  in  many  places,  and  hundreds,  yea,  thousands, 
were  converted  to  God,  and  scores  were  received  into  the 
Church.  The  efforts  were  thus  far  confined  to  the  German 
lanuuaue  and  entirelv  to  the  rural  districts.  Our  fathers 
avoided  large   towns  and  cities. 

But  the  country  was  filling  up  with  English-speaking 
people,  and  thus  arose  a  demand  for  an  F^nglish  ministry 
which  the  Church  was  slow  to  supi)ly.  However,  when 
the  ministry  was  partially  sui)i)lied  with  F^nglish  preachers, 
the  progress  of  the  Church  was  rapid.  While  some  were 
zealously  laboring  here  in  the  East,  others  moved  witli  the 
tide  of  emigration,  and  were  soon  preaching  to  tlu'  in- 
habitants of  the  woods  and  ])rairies  of  the  West.  Thus 
the  borders  of  the  Church  were  enlarged,  and  by  the  efforts 


CHURCH    HISTOHV 


207 


of  earnest  men  she  has  continued  to  advance  until  to-day 
she  extends  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  from 
Canada  to  Tennessee. 

But  progress  for  the  first  century  was  slow.  Indeed," 
viewing  it  from  a  human  standpoint,,  it  was  remarkably 
^low.  Near  the  close  of  this  i)eriod  her  labor  is  still  con- 
fined to  German  settlements,  without  a  printed  discipline, 
a  printing  establishment,  newspaper,  college,  missionary 
society,  or  well  organized  itinerancy.  Two  annual  confer- 
ence districts  embrace  the  entire  work,  without  a  house  of 
worship  west  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains  and  but  few  east 
of  them.  In  a  tribute  paid  to  the  Church  in  1813  by  the 
venerable  Bishop  Asbury,  he  estimates  the  whole  mend)er- 
slnj)  to  be  2(),()()(),  and  the  number  of  ministers,  100.  By 
a  series  of  calamitous  events  between  1810  and  1820,  the 
membership  was  so  pruned  down  that  by  1820  it  numbered 
only  about  9,000. 

Thus  we  see  the  Church,  after  a  struggle  of  forty-six 
years,  with  less  than  10,000  members  and  possessing  noth- 
ing to  make  these  permanent.  Indeed,  in  the  decade  men- 
tioiK  d,  despite  all  the  work  done,  there  had  been  a  total  loss 
of  more  than  1,000. 

Hut  at  this  time  (iod  was  raising  uj)  an  English  ministry, 
and  of  its  success  we  may  judge  by  examining  and  com- 
paring statistics  for  the  years  following. 

The  denominational  interest  of  the  Church  now  began 
to  receive  attention.  The  first  disci])line  was  printed  in 
1815.  In  the  last  month  of  1835  the  first  issue  of  the 
"Religious  Telescope''  api)eared,  although  in  1815  its  cir- 
culation was  only  3,000.  Mount  Pleasant  College  and 
Otterbein  University  were  founded  in  1817.  In  1853  our 
efiicient  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society 
was  organized.  In  1850  the  membershi])  of  the  United 
I^rethren  Church  was  about  10,000.  Ten  years  later  it 
was  94,000,  showing  an  increase  in  the  decade  of  54,000. 

What  is  the  condition  of  the  Church  to-day?  Her 
boundary  is  limited  by  no  state  lines,  nor  is  she  confined 
to  one  country  only.     Her  membership  is  almost  150,000, 


208 


UNITED    BHETHREN 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


209 


and  she  is  ivpresented  in  almost  all  the  states  of  the  Union, 
Her  territory  is  divided  into  more  tlian  forty  eoni'erence 
distriets,  these  havini^  a  foree  of  2,000  ministers.  She  is 
makini^  her  mark.  Her  printing  house,  besides  carrying 
on  a  lari^e  book  trade,  publishes  six  periodicals,  whose  joint 
circulation  is  more  than  300,000  copies.  Besides  the  "Sab- 
bath School;'  and  '^Benevolent  Fund,"  and  "Church  Krec- 
tion''  societies,  she  has  a  vvcll  ori^anized  missionary  society 
with  many  missionaries  in  Frontier  fields,  and  two  foreign 
missions  manned  with  almost  a  dozen  earnest  workers. 
Her  educational  institutions  are  beginning  to  be  a  i)owc  r. 
Besides  half  a  dozen  hii^^h  schools  and  academies,  she  has 
as  many  regular  colleges. 

If  such  be  the  United  Brethren  Church,  every  member 
should  esteem  himself  happy  that  he  lives  to  celebrate 
the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  denomination.  But  will 
we  accei)t  the  resi)()nsibility  of  our  position?  The  resj)on- 
sibility  is  ui)on  us  and  we  must  accept  it.  We  must  not 
prove  recreant.  '^Vs  all  rejoiced  in  bringing  their  gifts 
to  King  Solomon,  so  every  one,  young  or  old,  man  or 
woman,  should  contribute,  as  God  has  prospered  him,  in 
erecting  monuments  to  the  Lord  that  shall  bless  through 
coming  ages  all  within  their  influence.  Yes,  this  should  be 
a  year  of  rich  harvest  to  the  treasuries  of  the  Church. 
and  especially  to  her  colleges.  This  year  her  friends  should 
place  Lebanon  Valley  College  in  the  front  rank.  To  her. 
donations  should  be  made  until  they  reach  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  dollars.  Her  halls  should  be  filled  with  stu- 
dents. All  this  may  be  accomplished  this  year  by  united 
eft'ort.  There  are,  at  least,  five  hundred  young  men  and 
women  in  these  four  cooperating  conferences  who  should 
be  in  some  department  of  college  work  to-day.  The  first 
thing  needful  is  to  make  our  college  worthy  in  eveiy  respect 
for  fitting  this  large  number  for  the  responsible  duties  of 
life,  and  the  second  is,  to  send  them  here. 

We  as  students  have  resolved  to  do  our  part,  and  we, 
and  the  world,  and  God,  expect  the  Church  to  do  hers. 


Ij  1 


Mr.  President,  Fathers  and  Brethren*: 

Commissioned  by  our  Board  of  Bishops,  it  is  a  great 
pleasure  to  my  colleague,  Dr.  W^ishinger,  and  to  myself  to 
bring  to  you  the  sincere  and  cordial  greetings  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  and  to  reciprocate  most  heartily  the 
splendid  and  touching  ex[)ressions  of  fraternity  of  your 
distinguished  representative.  President  Lewis,  in  his  able 
address  to  our  General  Conference  three  j^ars  ago  at  Can- 
ton, Ohio.  We  have  followed  your  proceedings  in  this 
body  with  increased  interest  and  rejoice  over  all  the  vic- 
tories you  have  won  for  Christ,  especially  during  the  last 
quadrennium. 

For  six  quadrenniums,  it  has  been  my  privilege  as  a 
member  of  the  General  Conference  to  hear  and  greet  the 
•brethren  you  have  sent  to  us  with  messages  of  warmest 
sympathy  and  co-operation;  messages  in  the  more  recent 
past,  big  with  the  conviction  that  God  has  one  kingdom  on 
earth;  urging  more  than  co-operation  and  fraternal  sym- 
pathy— even  the  unity  of  organic  union,  responding  in  the 
fullest  sense  to  eveiy  advance  made  by  our  most  enthusias- 
tic leaders. 

It  was  mv  fortune  to  be  a  member  of  the  Tri-Council 
which  met  six  years  ago  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  to  share  in 
the  spiritual  exaltation  of  the  whole  Council  described  by 
another  as  "almost  a  modern  Pentecost,''  after  the  un- 
expected but  unanimous  adoption  of  the  resolution  offered 
by  your  representative,  Dr.  Lewis,  that  "our  first  and  chief 
business  is  to  provide  for  the  organic  union  of  these  three 
bodies;"   and   later,   as   a   member   of   the    Committee   on 


*The  following  address  by  Dr.  Funkhouser  was  in  response  to 
the  resolution  below,  which  was  adopted  by  a  unanimous  vote. 

We  believe  that  a  union  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
and  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  is  both  possible  and 
practical,  and  therefore  we  authorize  our  commission  on  church 
union  to  enter  upon  negotiation  with  the  commission  of  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  just  so  soon  as  that  commission 
is  full  authorized  to  enter  upon  said  negotiations. 


210 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Polity,  both  at  Pittsburgh  and  at  Chicago,  to  share  in  a 
small  way  in  the  adoption  of  the  Plan  of  Union,  in  a  very 
large  measure,  your  plan  of  union,  which  was  presented 
to  the  churches  interested  with  so  much  promise  for  good 
to  our  common  Zion.  So  that  having  met  with  these  vour 
representatives  and  having  learned  to  know  your  spirit, 
and  having  familiarized  myself  with  your  people  and 
church  life,  I  am  not  among  strangers;  for  indeed  I  feel 
like  repeating  the  words  of  our  church  founders  almost  a 
century  and  a  half  ago — when  though  strangers,  after  a 
heart-searching  sermon  full  of  the  unction  of  the  Holv 
Spirit  by  the  Mennonite  preacher,  Martin  Boehm,  a  man 
of  small  stature  and  plain  garb,  the  stalwart  and  scholarly 
German  Reformed  Otterbein  with  brimming  heart  and 
tear-filled  eyes,  j)ut  his  arms  about  the  speaker  and  ex- 
claimed "We  are  brethren." 

All  of  these  efforts  and  i)lans  for  closer  relationship  be- 
tween our  churches  have  had,  from  the  beginning,  our 
heartiest  a[)pr()val,  and  our  hopes  have  been  high  for 
realization  of  this  forward  step  in  the  meaning  of  God's 
forces  for  the  overthrow  of  sin  and  wickness  in  high  places. 
And  my  conviction  to-day  is  that  the  discontinuance  of 
these  efforts  for  union  is  most  foolish,  if  not  criminal. 

And  in  this,  without  a  single  exception,  to  the  best  of 
mv  knowledge,  on  everv  occasion  when  the  cruestion  has 
been  voted  on,  in  Annual  or  General  Conference,  these 
sentiments  echo  the  expressd  will  of  our  i)e()ple. 

Hut  Christian  people  do  foolish  things.  We  maintain 
schools  and  colleges,  build  churches  and  emj)loy  j)astors, 
conduct  Sunday  schools  and  Young  People's  Societies  to 
train,  culture  and  save  our  children  and  make  of  them 
good  men  and  women,  and  then  we  authorize  others  by 
law  to  destroy  our  work,  degrade  and  ruin  our  children; 
and  we  build  jails  and  penitentiaries  and  hire  officers  to 
harvest  this  crop  of  destruction,  the  result  of  legislation 
winked  at  and  supported  by  Christians. 

The  Protestant  Church  in  the  United  States  to  whom 
is  committed  now,  as  in  the  past,  the  salvation  of  our  peo- 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


211 


pie  and  the  making  of  the  greatest  nation  on  the  earth,  and, 
througli  this  nation,  to  reach  every  other  people  on  the 
globe,  has  divided,  according  to  Dr.  Carroll,  our  religious 
census  enumerator,  into  141  denominations  or  sects,  each 
more  or  less  against  the  other,  and  this  too  in  the  face  of 
the  united  hosts  of  darkness.  If  the  Apostle  Paul  who 
begs  us  to  ^iiave  the  mind  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus,  were 
writing  us  now,  would  he  not  say,  '^Oh !  foolish  brethren, 
who  hath  bewitched  you?"  Should  we  not  pray,  and  that 
right  earnestly,  like  the  fellow  falling  from  the  high 
bridge:    'l.ord,  have  mercy,  and  have  it  cjuick!" 

What  wasted  strength,  what  a  weakening  of  our  forces. 
what  a  dissipation  of  our  vital  resources! 

The  tendency  of  the  age  is  toward  organization  and 
consolidation.  The  trend  towards  centralization  is  univer- 
sal. These  are  the  days  of  integration.  The  day  of  indivi- 
dual initiative  and  effort  and  great  achievement  is  past. 
We  are  in  the  era  of  world-wide  movement.  The  world 
has  become  a  great  community,  from  all  parts  of  which  we 
may  hear  daily,  and  every  man  has  become  our  brother. 
The  ])r()blems  to  be  solved  and  the  tasks  to  be  done  are  so 
large  that  it  takes  great  agencies  to  accomplish  them, — not 
in  commercial  life  only, — but  also  in  the  social,  educational, 
political  and  religious  worlds,  the  watch  words  are  "Organ- 
ization" and  "Combination!"  And  is  it  not  the  whole  aim 
of  the  gospel  and  will  it  not  be  a  glorious  achievement  to 
put  (me  spirit,  the  spirit  of  our  Christ  into  the  whole 
liuman  family? 

Who  is  urging  this  union?  Jesus,  the  head  of  the 
Church.  His  last  prayer  on  earth  was  that  "they  might  be 
one."  The  Holy  Spirit  is  our  inspiration  and  our  guide. 
His  first  coming  was  to  the  disciples  who  were  in  one  place 
and  with  one  accord,  and  his  perpetual  ministry  is  to  build 
us  up  together.  Common  sense  and  good  judgment 
ai)peal  to  us  to  be  as  wise  in  religious  affairs  as  the  children 
of  the  world  are  in  business  matters;  to  mass  our  forces 
and  push  the  conquest  of  Satan's  kingdom,  never  so  aggres- 
sive and  defiant  as  now. 


V% 


212 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Our  laymen  are  eai>er  to  see  the  methods  of  i)ractieal 
etliciency  applied  to  the  work  of  the  churches.  The  loi>ic 
of  facts  is  that  of  such  a  proposal.  They  want  the  comrade 
touch  of  shoulder  to  shoulder  in  company  rank,  the  force 
of  the  rei^iment,  the  stratetjic  i)o\ver  of  the  well  placed 
battalion.  For  a  half  million  members  of  our  two  chu relies 
to  be  organically  related  is  in  itself  a  stimulus  of  no  mean 
order. 

Who  is  ai^ainst  us?  Stitan,  the  arch  enemy.  The  (k'vil 
is  a  stratei^ist.  If  he  can  keep  the  forces  of  truth  divided 
into  sections  or  sects,  he  will  concfuer  in  detail  and  the 
rule  of  his  authority  will  be  undiminished.  The  open, 
active  advocates  and  ai>ents  of  Satan  decry  church  union, 
while  |)ride  in  what  our  fathers  wnnii^ht  or  left  us,  pre- 
judice of  birth  or  traininL>,  denominational  i^reed  and 
selfishness  in  all  its  ramifications,  with  some  i>ood  peo])le 
who  live  in  the  past  and  ([uestion  the  propriety  of  a  chan,ij;e; 
these  are  the  reactionaries  cloi^i^ini^  the  chariot  wheels  of 
pr()i>ress. 

A  lyrowiniji  sentiment  of  union  is  felt  among  all  Chris- 
tian i)eople.  All  churches  now  have  their  committees  on 
church  union  and  a  great  national  federation  is  endeavor- 
ing to  bring  all  tlie  churches  nearer  together.  Men  outside 
of  the  cliurch,  as  well  as  those  within,  deplore  ecclesiastical 
division  and  look  upon  sectarianism  as  a  reproach.  I  nity 
does  not  mean  uniformity;  but  it  does  mean  such  a  s])irit 
of  loyalty  to  the  master  and  such  a  love  for  the  brethren 
as  will  tolerate  individual  differences  and  permit  individual 
variety  under  a  common  form. 

Subordinate  beliefs  raised  to  the  rank  of  essentials 
block  the  way  of  unity.  There  is  no  ])roprietary  right  in 
matters  of  faith.  The  basis  of  real  union  must  always  be 
found  in  a  common  spiritual  im])ulse  and  life;  and  it  will 
be  effective,  not  along  lines  of  history  and  ancestry,  but 
in  si)iritual  afhnity;  not  in  a  common  origin  but  in  a  com- 
mon life — The  I'nion  must  be  vital,  not  simply  formal. 

There  is  so  much  in  common  between  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  and  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


2i:i 


in  Christ,  that  the  wonder  is  not  how  to  get  them  together, 
but  that  Ihev  have  been  so  long  apart.  Each  has  a  supreme 
regard  for  the  facts  of  religious  experience;  each  stands  for 
the  right  of  private  judgment  in  matters  of  religion,  the 
freedom  of  the  local  church,  and  supreme  loyalty  to  Jesus 
as  Lord  and  King.  In  doctrine,  they  are  both  Arminian; 
and  in  organization,  thoroughly  American,  and  they  do  not 
difler,  in  any  imi)ortant  i)articulars,  in  form,  sacraments 
and  ordinances. 

Neither  of  us  number  our  adherents  by  the  million  but 
our  crowning  glory  has  been  the  regenerated  heart  as  the 
key  to  the  saved  life;  and  we  continue  to  hold,  and  (iod 
iirdui  that  it  mav  never  l)e  otherwise,  that  our  first  duly 
is  to  provide  for  the  maintenance  of  (lod's  invisible  Church 
in  the  hearts  of  his  children,  (iod's  communications  with 
the  soul  are  personal  and  individual  and  the  cry  of  the 
ages  is:    "()  that  1  knew  where  I  might  find  him!" 

The  more  consecrated  and  enthusiastic  our  people  and 
the  more  elficient  and  developed  our  organization,  the  more 
successfully  can  we  respond  to  this  yearning  api)eal  in 
heli)ful  Christian  service. 

The  marshalling  of  our  columno  under  one  i)anner  and 
one  leadership  and  as  one  host  with  a  single  i)urpose  would 
be  an  object  lesson  in  the  recovery  of  Christianity  towards 
the  unity  that  alone  is  the  Master's  i)lea  and  a  forerumier 
of  similar  movements  that  may  characterize  our  age. 

With  our  principles  affirmed  and  our  prejudices  denied 
in  this  the  day  of  His  power,  we  stand  willing  to  l)e  led. 
willing  to  act,  willing  to  move  out,  if  it  may  be  into  a  wider 
fellow'ship  and  a  more  abounding  service.  Mr.  President, 
'if  thv  heart  be  as  my  heart,  give  me  thy  hand." 


CHIHCH    HISTOHY 


21  :> 


CHAPTEU  XXIV 

THE  CHURCH  AND  EDUCATION 

Some  one  has  declared  that  nine-tenths  of  all  education 
since  the  founding  of  Christianity  has  sprung  from  the 
tradition  and  purposes  of  the  Church.  Of  course  the 
mathematical  character  of  the  statement  is  for  the  purpose 
of  giving  definiteness  to  a  strong  claim.  It  was  the  policy 
of  tlie  Church  of  the  Middle  Ages  to  keep  the  Hihle  from 
the  mass  of  the  people  and  to  discourage  popular  education, 
so  that  all  Clu'istendom  might  he  kept  in  intellectual  slavery 
to  a  crafty  and  thoroughly  organized  priesthood.  The 
Reformers,  including  those  \\'ho  appeared  before  the  Refor- 
mation of  the  sixteenth  century,  were  not  at  all  in  sym- 
pathy with  this  idea.  They  believed  most  firmly  that  all 
[)i'rsons  should  be  able  to  read  and  write,  although  their 
zeal  in  the  cause  of  education  was  primarily  religious. 
Tliey  insisted  that  their  people  should  read  the  Bible  for 
themselves,  so  that  their  faith  might  rest  on  a  sure  founda- 
tion. Therefore  schools,  open  to  the  public  generally, 
sprang  u|)  in  all  the  portions  of  Euroj)e  that  were  deeply 
influenced  by  the  Protestant  Reformation. 

Hut  the  sect  which  in  11)27  called  itself  the  United  Breth- 
n  11  found  that  "a  more  enlarged  acquaintance  with  litera- 
ture and  philosophy  had,  in  some  instances,  paralyzed  the 
zeal  of  ministers  in  promoting  the  edification  of  their 
Hocks,  and,  by  the  false  gloss  of  heathen  philosophy, 
obscured  the  bright  ])urity  of  Christian  doctrine,  which 
derives  all  its  luster  from  Christ  crucified."  These  men 
"laid  greater  stress  on  piety,  moral  conduct,  and  knowledge 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  in  persons  sustaining  the  pastoral 
office,  than  in  human  learning." 

These  criticisms  are  of  precisely  the  same  character  as 
those  which  have  been  urged  by  the  present  United  Breth- 
ren Church.  The  higher  education  of  the  earlier  day  con- 
sisted very  greatly  in  the  study  of  the  dead  languages  of 


(ireece  and  Rome.  When  these  hmguages  were  living 
tongues,  they  were  spoken  by  nations  that  were  pagan, 
although  at  the  same  time  (juite  highly  civilized.  The  idea> 
presented  in  their  literatures  sprang  from  a  heathen  and 
not  a  Christian  source,  and  to  minds  imperfectly  trained 
were  likely  to  be  prejudicial.  And  it  must  be  added  that 
until  within  the  last  half-century  there  was  no  very  material 
change  in  the  course  of  study  in  all  colleges. 

Otti'rbein  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  cultured  nun  of 
his  day,  and  he  used  at  least  five  languages,  ancient  and 
modern.      But   to  him  and   those   who   thought   as   he   did. 
religion  is  almost  wholly  an  individual  and  personal  work 
within  the  soul.     It  is  only  incidentally  an  aifair  of  the  m- 
tellect.     Otterbein  was  not  a  man  to  believe  very  much  in 
educational    religion,    which    was   almost     the     only     form 
recoLHiized  in  the  state  churches.     He  could  work  consist- 
ently  and  harmoniously  with  persons  like  Boehm,  (nieth- 
in<^    and  Newconur,  whose  education   was   not  above   the 
level  of  a  country  school  training  of  to-day.     Intellectually, 
they  were  not  his  etfuals.     But   in   the  matter  of  religioii 
they  stood  on  common  ground.     It  is  perhai)s  because  he 
regarded   the   work   of   the   established   churches   as   com- 
paratively inethcient  that  he  let  his  scholarship  lie  in  the 
background.     He  preached  in  much  the  same  manner  as 
his  associates,  and  he  never  wrote  a  book.     And  yet  he  was 
the  more  efl'ective  because  of  his  scholarship.    Whether  the 
advanced  education   be  a   curse  or  a  blessing  is  after  all 
a  personal  affair.     Nevertheless,  Otterbein  does  not  seem 
to  have  been  a  strenuous  advocate  for  higher  training  in 
others.     He  perceived  that  the  preaching  most  needed  by 
the  time  in  which  he  lived  was  of  the  sort  presented  by 
men  of  his  own  kind.    "There  is  no  evidence  that  Otterbein 
ever  impressed  upon  his  associates  and  disciples  the  neces- 
sity of  educational  training.     Did  he  feel  that  necessity,  or, 
rather,  did  he  share  the  popular  feeling   that   scholarshii) 
was  generally  conducive  to  spiritual  coldness  and  formal- 
ity?    At  any  rate,  he  acquiesced  in  choosing  and  sending 
out   new  preachers  whose  only  claim   to   ability   to   teach 


210 


rXlTKD    BRETHREN 


was  that  they  knew  God  in  a  powerful,  personal  salvation 
from  the  power  and  fear  of  sin.  With  some  ability  to  speak 
in  public,  with  untiring  zeal,  and  an  industry  that  abated 
Jiot,  and  with  assured  support  from  their  own  resources, 
fl'e  pioneers  carried  on  a  propaganda  that  made  adherents 
wherever  they  went/' 

"Having  fled  from  the  persecutions  of  those  in  authority 
in  Europe,  who  represented,  of  course,  the  educated  classes, 
our  ancestors  felt  that  the  best  in  life  was  to  be  secured 
in  the  ([uiet  of  domestic  home  life,  apart  from  the  know!- 
<'dge  of  the  world." 

For  several  decades  after  Otterbein,  the  Tnited  l>reth- 
ren  ministers  had  little  respect  for  what  they  culled 
*'preacher  factories/'  Their  prejudice  against  college  train- 
ing came  largely  by  noticing  that  in  these  schools  tdu- 
i^ational  ((ualifications  were  more  esteemed  than  spiritual- 
ity. In  the  ministry  of  the  old  churches  they  also  observed 
that  education  and  a  cold  formality  were  closely  associatini. 
So  they  thought  it  better  to  rely  less  on  books  than  on  the 
I)romptings  of  the  Spirit.  This  prejudice  was  held  by  the 
laity  as  well  as  by  the  preachers. 

It  was  not  until  18()5  that  the  education  of  ministers  was 
considered  with  any  favor  by  a  General  Gonference.  The 
establishing  of  Otterbein  University  was  much  n^sisted  for 
a  while,  and  Lebanon  Valley  Golleue  was  not  founded 
until  187().  In  theory  the  United  Brethren  membership  lias 
never  opposed  higher  education,  except  in  its  bearin«>  on 
ministerial  preparation.  And  yet  a  prejudice  against  it 
in  a  theological  s'ense  could  not  fail  to  build  up  a  degree 
of  ])rejiidice  in  a  secular  sense.  This  prejudice  has  in 
our  day  been  very  much  overcome. 

The  demand  for  a  change  has  grown  with  a  growth  of 
intelligence  and  knowledge  among  the  masses,  aiMl  is 
insistent  as  they  realize  that  the  leader  of  the  religious 
forces  of  the  community  must  devote  his  time  and  strength 
to  the  ministry  of  the  Word.  An  educated  ministry  \vas 
<)])posed  by  the  Otterbein  people  so  long  as  they  saw  that 
men  who  made  their  living  by  some  form  of  busiiu'ss,  aiui 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


217 


I 


Avere  without  training,  culture,  or  knowledge,  were  put 
forward  as  the  teachers  of  "the  people  who  perish  for  want 
of  knowledge.'' 

In  the  ])resent  century  it  is  becoming  recognized  that 
religion  without  education  sinks  to  the  level  of  a  supersti- 
tion, and  that  the  proper  aim  of  a  liberal  education  is  not 
culture  for  the  sake  of  culture,  but  culture  for  the  sake 
of  service  to  others. 

*Tlie  ])resent  feclir.g  of  indifference  to  an  educated 
ministry  results  in  a  large  part  from  the  former  i)ronounced 
o|)f)()sition  to  any  culture  or  special  training  for  the  pulpit. 
The  pioneers  themselves  were  uneducated,  and  having  tied 
from  the  persecution's  of  the  se  in  authority  in  Kurope,  who 
represented,  of  course,  the  educated  classes,  our  ancestors 
felt  that  the  best  in  life  was  to  be  secured  in  the  quiet  of 
domestic  home  life,  apart  from  the  knowledge  of  the  world. 
It  was  this  knov.ledge  or  learning  wliich  they  blamed  for 
the  wickedness  of  those  who  possessed  it. 

"They  wire  fortiiied  in  this  position  by  what  they  saw 
in  tiie  sclioois  themselves.  A  bitter  fountain  sends  out 
bitter  waters.  And  it  must  be  admitted  tliat  they  were 
grounds  for  their  conclusions.  Kven  wlien  learning  did 
not  seriously  alfect  the  religious  belief,  its  deadening  effect 
was  to  be  seen  in  the  cold  and  lifeless  formality  of  the 
educated  ministry  of  the  existing  churches.  There  was  no 
stirring  of  the  cMUotions,  'no  heart,'  in  the  preaching  which 
appealed  to  the  judgment  and  reason,  and,  conseifuently, 
what  they  offered  was  a  'religion  of  the  head.'  This  was 
believed  to  be  fatal  to  all  vital  godliness. 

"The  lirst  member  of  tliis  conference  after  Otterbein  to 
be  a  college  graduate  was  Samuel  Kvers,  who  completed 
the  course  in  Otterbein  University  and  joined  the  confer- 
ence in  1857.  He  founded  IMeasant  (h'ove  Academy  in 
is:)!)  and  had  less  than  two  years  of  service  when  death 
ended  his  work  in  January,  1801.  Just  before  this.  D.  I). 
Keedy  and  G.  H.  Ilammack  had  been  students  at  Mount 
Pleasant,  Pennsylvania,  but  the  combining  of  this  school 
with   Otterbein   at   WeMerville,   Ohio,  ended    their    school 


218 


UNITED    BHETHHEN 


work,  as  they  did  not  follow  it  to  the  new  location.  Hie 
next  man  to  complete  the  collei^e  course  was  J.  N.  l^^ries, 
who  in  the  centennial  year  received  his  diploma  and  dei»ree 
from  Otterbein,  and  has  been  for  forty  years  a  faithful  and 
successful  teacher. 

"The  necessity  for  colleije  trainini>  was  not  i>enerally 
felt.  Indeed,  up  to  about  this  time  the  old  notion  that  edu- 
cation is  not  :in  essential  for  the  minister,  was  generally 
held.  It  was  emphasized  in  my  own  experience.  In  the 
spring  of  1872,  Boonsboro  circuit,  to  which  J.  W.  Hott  had 
been  sent,  wanted  a  junior  preacher.  The  Sunday  after 
the  conference,  J.  \V.  Howe,  j)residini^  elder,  and  John 
Ruebush,  pastor,  visited  me  at  Keezletown,  where  1  was 
teaching  my  second  school,  and  spent  the  day  with  me, 
endeavorini^  to  persuade  me  to  accept  that  appointment  and 
enter  at  once  upon  the  work  of  the  active  ministry.  Whiii 
I  uri>ed  my  ii^norance  and  need  of  preparation,  and  told 
them  I  was  i)lannini^  to  i,^)  to  collei^e,  they  re-enforced 
their  position  by  saying,  it  is  a  pity  to  see  a  man  sj^ending 
the  best  vears  of  his  life  in  school  while  the  world  is  beini> 
lost.'  I  was  then  eighteen.  Howe  and  Ruebush  were  strong 
men,  and  more  progressive  than  many  others,  and  yet 
they  reflected  the  general  opinion.  Both  men  lived  to 
change  their  ideas  entirely  on  this  subject,  for  a  few  years 
later  they  were  my  strongest  supporters  in  establishing 
Shenandoah  Institute. 

'*Evers,  Fries,  McMullen,  Hendrickson,  Harper,  (),  \V. 
Burtner,  C.  M.  Good,  \V.  1).  Good,  and  myself*  have  been 
graduated  from  Otterbein,  and  S.  K.  Wine  and  \V.  O.  Fiies 
from  Lebanon  Valley;  and  of  these  only  Fries,  McMullen, 
W.  I).  Good,  and  the  writer  are  today  (1914)  members  of 
this  conference.  After  etficient  service  in  Virginia,  Mary- 
land, and  Pennsylvania,  Wine  died  at  Chambersburg  in 
the  prime  of  life.  The  others  are  living  and  fhiding  fields^ 
of  usefulness  elsewhere.  Eleven  have  taken  a  course  in 
Bonebrake  Seminary:  G.  P.  Hott,  J.  W.  Hicks.  L.  O.  Burt- 
ner, A.  \V.  Horn,  H.  H.  Font,  J.  E.  Font,  \\.  O.  Jones, 
*A.  P.  Funkhouser. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


219 


L.  W.  Lutz,  and  Lan  Seng  Nam.  C.  W.  Burtner  is  a  Con- 
iireuationalists  ])astor  in  Connecticut,  while  onlv  A.  S.  Ham- 
mack  remain  a  member  of  this  conference.  Forty-eight 
members  of  the  conference  have  attended  Shenandoah 
Institute,  some  com[)leting  the  full  course.  Some  twenty-five 
years  ago,  nearly  all  who  entered  the  conference  studied 
at  this  school.  But  in  the  last  twenty  years  a  little  less  than 
one-third,  and  in  the  last  ten  years  a  little  less  than  one  in 
five  have  attended  our  conference  school.  Of  our  present 
membership  of  58,  those  who  have  studied  at  Dayton,  Vir- 
ginia, number  22. 

^M.  R.  Ridenour.  A.  1).  Freed,  C.  M.  Hott,  and  P.  W. 
Weller  were  students  in  Lebanon  Valley  College  for  one 
or  more  years." 


CHAPTER  XXV 
THE  VIRGINIA   COXFFREXCE  SCHOOL 

Tlu'  country  about  Dayton,  Virijiinia  was  settled  lon,^ 
before  tliere  was  any  villai>e  at  this  |)oint.  Tlie  little  stone 
buildino  on  the  east  border,  between  the  Harrisonburo  pike 
and  Cook's  creek,  was  built  as  a  fortified  house,  and  was 
surrounded  bv  a  stockade.  It  is  supposed  there  was  a 
covered  way  leadini^  to  tlie  stream,  and  a  condition  in  the 
crown  patent  to  the  land  on  wliich  the  lower  mill  stands 
is  that  the  Burtner  fort  shall  have  enough  water  for  its 
use.  Even  before  the  Revolution  tliere  was  an  Episcopal 
chapel  adjacent  to  the  town  cemetery.  On  the  ij;r()und 
now  occupied  by  artificial  Silver  Lake  was  a  Presbyterian 
church.  The  early  population  of  the  vicinity  was  Scotch- 
Irish  and  Ent^lish  and  not  German.  As  a  hamlet,  Dayton 
was  first  known  as  Rifetown  or  Rifeville.  In  183,'),  Dayton 
was  made  a  town  by  an  Act  of  Assembly.  The  first  dwell- 
ing within  the  town  site  was  the  Rife  house,  a  roui^h-coat 
buildiiiiJi  that  stood  on  the  Institute  cami)us.  Previous  to 
its  beinu  torn  down  by  Dr.  P^mkhouser,  ttu^  occupant  kc^j)t 
a  wagon  yard.  The  Harrisonburg  i)ike  was  built  in  bS.'i*), 
and  in  1810  there  were  26  houses  in  the  village.  The 
imion  brick  church  now  owned  by  the  Church  of  the  Hreth- 
ren  was  built  about  1858.  Prior  to  this  the  only  preaching 
j)lace  was  a  long  shoj)  building.  Bachtel  had  a  steel  triangle 
made,  and  this  was  beaten  with  a  hammer  to  give  notice 
of  the  preaching  hour.  The  discovery  of  gold  in  California 
made  money  plentiful,  and  Dayton  was  on  somewhat  of  a 
boom.  Property  was  in  demand,  houses  were  built,  and 
in  1852  the  i)lace  was  incor|)orated. 

Shenandoah  S(Miiinary  was  founded  in  1875  and  incor- 
porated one  year  later.  In  1871)  it  was  named  Shenandoah 
Institute.  Its  first  habitation  was  the  building  on  Main 
street  near  the  entrance  to  the  street  leading  to  the  railway 
station.    It  is  at  present  the  store  and  residence  of  Mr.  Stine- 


CHPHCFt    FHSTOHY 


2*21 


s])ring.  The  next  home  of  the  school  was  the  building 
since  known  as  Ladies'  Dormitory  Number  One  and  Dining 
Hall.  Until  then  this  was  a  store  and  dwelling  house.  In 
1885  an  annex  was  attached  to  this  building.  In  the  same 
year  the  campus  was  purchased  and  maple  trees  planted 
on  it.  In  11)01  the  Howt^  Memorial  Building  was  erected  on 
the  campus,  and  in  11)12  the  Administration  Building, 
opposite  the  Boarding  Hall,  was  completed.  Including  two 
residences,  occupied  by  the  manager  and  Professor  W.  H. 
Ruebush,  there  are  now  six  distinct  buildings  on  the  lands 
owned  by  the  institution,  and  the  total  value  of  the  plant 
is  about  $00,000. 

The  school  began  with  20  students,  and  there  were  nianv 
recitations  in  private  homes.  A  priman'  school  was  at 
first  connected  with  Shenandoah  Academy.  The  manager, 
the  instructor  of  the  |)rimary  department,  and  a  teacher 
of  music  made  up  the  original  faculty.  The  following  i)er- 
sons  have  successively  been  at  the  head  of  the  school: 
A.  P.  Eunkhouser  (1875-1885);  J.  N.  Eries  (1885-1887); 
G.  P.  Hott  (1887-181)5);  E.  V.  Hoenshel  (181)5-11)10);  .1.  H. 
Ruebush,  since  11)10. 

In  1902  the  institution  took  the  name  of  Shenandoah 
Collegiate  Institute  and  School  of  Music,  and  by  this  title 
it  has  since  been  known. 

There  are  now  ten  members  of  the  academic  faculty, 
i\iu\  eight  of  the  department  of  music. 

The  curriculum  embraces  Bible  study,  English,  History, 
Mathematics,  Natural  Science,  Agriculture,  Latin,  German, 
I'^rench,  Elocution,  Domestic  Science,  and  the  Eine  Arts, 
in  addition  to  the  work  of  the  SluMiandoah  Business  Col- 
lege. Music  has  always  been  a  strong  adjunct.  In  the 
school  year,  11)18-11),  there  were  115  students  studying 
music,  101  were  taking  Bible  study,  1)1  literature,  35  expres- 
.sion,  18  art,  and  2  domestic  scii'uce.  There  were  1 1  in  tlie 
commercial  courses. 

The  school  year,  divided  into  two  semesters,  continues 
30  weeks. 

Tuition  is  $50  in  each  music  course,  and  $50  to  $75  in 
the  academic  courses. 


222 


UNITED    HHETHREN 


In  42  years  over  (i,()()0  students  have  had  partial  frain- 
int^  in  this  institution.  ^ 

Jay  N.  Fries  was  born  at  White  Hall,  ViriJiinia,  Decem- 
ber 13,  1850.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm. 
In  the  fall  of  18()1)  he  bei^an  teachinij,  and  in  187()  was 
i^raduated  from  Otterbein  I'niversity  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  had  already  been  licensed  to  i)reach 
in  1871.  In  the  year  of  his  graduation  he  opened  a  high 
school  at  Dayton,  Virginia,  teacliing  it  four  years,  and  then 
teaching  in  Hridgewater  and  Harrisonburg.  For  12  years 
Prof.  Fries  was  at  the  head  of  Shenandoah  Institute,  and 
his  term  was  marked  by  thorough,  conscientious,  and  suc- 
cessful work. 

Elmer  U.  Hoenshel  was  born  in  Westmoreland  coimly, 
Pemisylvania,  being  one  of  the  nine  sons  of  George  and 
Mary  Hoenshel.  He  was  converted  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
and  decided  to  be  a  teacher.  Hut  he  received  a  license 
from  a  (juarterly  conference  in  1889,  joined  the  Alleghany 
Conference  in  1891,  and  was  a  graduate  of  Shenancloah 
Seminary  in  1892.  Prof.  Hoenshel  is  very  well  known  in 
'le  Valley  of  Virginia  as  an  educator  and  lecturer,  and 
also  as  an  author.    He  has  traveled  in  Europe  and  Palestine . 

James  H.  Ruebush  was  born  at  Singers  Glen,  Virginia. 
October  17,  1865.  Until  the  age  of  fourteen  he  lived  on 
his  father's  farm.  The  family  then  moved  to  Dayton  in 
the  same  county,  where  the  son  attended  Shenandoah 
Institute  five  years.  His  studies  in  music  was  continued  at 
Otterbein  University,  the  Conservatory  of  Music  at  New 
York,  and  such  summer  schools  as  Silver  Lake  and  Lake 
Chautauqua.  In  these  he  was  a  pupil  of  some  eminent 
teachers.  After  teaching  five  years  at  Kee  Mar  College,  he 
returned  to  Dayton  in  1898,  becoming  Musical  Director 
in  the  Institute.  In  1910  he  was  put  in  control  of  the 
school.  Mr.  Ruebush  is  the  author  of  several  song  books, 
the  lirst  of  which  is  ''Gems  of  Gladness."     He  is  a  person 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


223 


f 


of  great  energy  and  activity,  and  brings  these  ([uaUties 
to  bear  in  everything  in  which  he  is  concerned.  Several 
times  has  he  been  a  member  of  the  General  Conference  of 
the  United  Brethren  Cliurch,  and  he  has  held  several  otlier 
high  positions  in  his  denomination. 


CHAPTER  XX VII 
A  DIGKSr  OF   IHK  CONFERENCE  MINUTES 

Tlu'  Virginia  Conference,  by  a  decision  arrived  at  in 
1900,  is  the  mother  conference  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church.  This  abstract  of  the  minutes  therefore  bei^nns  with 
the  session  of  1781).  Only  the  more  important  facts  in 
the  proceedint^s  are  here  iJiiven.  This  is  particularly  the 
case  since  the  minutes  began  to  appear  in  printed  form. 
Tlie  reports  of  the  last  twenty  years  make  pamphlets  oi 
forty  to  seventy  pages.  To  the  publislied  minutes  the 
reader  is  referred  for  the  conference  membership  and  the 
najnes  of  the  lay  delegates.  The  orthography  of  proper 
names  is  not  uniform  in  the  various  reports.  Since  the 
comi)iler  could  not  always  tell  which  form  should  be  given 
the  preference,  he  has  sometiincs  followed  the  variations 
found  in  the  minutes. 

1789 

Conference  at  the  home  of  William  Otterbein,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Present:   William  Otterbein,  Martin  Boehm,  George  A.  Guethina, 
Christian     Newcomer,     Henry     Weidner,     Adam     Lehman,     John 

Ernst — 7. 

Absent:  Benedict  Swope,  Henry  Baker,  Frederick  SchaeJle'-, 
Martin      Kreider,     Simon      Herre,     Ciiristopher     Grosh.     Abraliam 

Draksel — 7, 

1791 

('onference  at  the  house  of  John  Spangler,  Paradise  Twp,  York 
County,  Pa. 

Present:  William  Otterbein,  Martin  Boehm,  George  A.  Guething, 
Christian  Newcomer,  Adam  Lehman,  John  Ernst,  J.  G.  Pfrinnner, 
John  Neidig,  Benedict  Saunders — 9. 

Absent:  Henry  Weidner,  Martin  Kreider,  Christopher  Grosh, 
Cliristian  Crum,  I).  Strirkler,  Felix  Light,  John  Mautz,  Henry 
Baker,  F.  SehaetTer,  Abraham  Draksel,  G.  Fortenbach,  J.  Hershey, 
Simon  Herre.  Benedict  Swope — 14. 

1800 

(Conference  at  the  house  of  Peter  Kemp,  near  Frederick,  ?Jd., 
September  25. 


CHCBCH    HISTOHY 


225 


Present:  William  Otterbein,  Martin  Boehm,  G.  A.  Guething, 
John  G.  Pfrimmer.  Christian  Newcomer,  Christian  Crum.  Henry 
Crum,  John  Hershey,  J.  Geisinger,  Henry  Boehm,  Jacob  Baulus, 
D.  Aurand,  Adam  Lehman,  Abraham  Draksel — 14. 

Absent:  John  Neidig,  Frederick  Schaefler,  Abraham  Meyer, 
David  Snyder,  A.  Hershey,  John  Ernst,  Simon  Herre,  John  Sen- 
seny,  I.  Niswander,  Martin  Kreider,  Christopher  Grosh,  (i.  Forten- 
baugh,  Adam  Beigel,  Christian  Hershey,  M.  Thomas,  Daniel  Strick- 
ler.  Abraham  Heistand — 17. 

Ten  great  meetings  held  during  the  conference  year  following. 

Otterbein  and  Boehm  elected  bishops. 

1801 

Conference  again  at  Kemp's  September  23. 

l^resent:  William  Otteibein.  Martin  Boehm,  Christian  New- 
comer, Daniel  Strickler,  (ieorge  A.  Guething.  Peter  Senseny,  John 
Neidig,  David  Long.  Abraham  Meyer,  Frederick  Schaefler,  John 
Hershey,  Thomas  Winter,  L.  Duckwald,  David  Snyder.  Christian 
Crum,  Matthias  Kessler,  Peter  Kemp,  Abraham  Hershey,  Jacob 
Geisinger,  Michael  Thomas — 20. 

Itinerants:  C.  Newcomer,  A.  Hershey,  F.  Schaeirer,  P.  Kemp, 
D.  Snyder,  D.  Strickler,  D.  Long,  M.  Thomas,  A.  Meyer,  J.  Neidig. 

I^icsolved  that  each  preacher  who  could  not  attend  the  annual 
conference  should  give  due  notice  of  that  fact. 

Otterbein  preached  on  the  third  and  last  day  from  Jude  20-25, 
on  the  responsibilities  of  the  ministerial  office. 

1802 

Conference  at  the  house  of  John  Cronise,  near  Kemp's,  October  6. 

Bishops:    W.  Otterbein,  M.  Boehm. 

New  members:    William  Ambrose  of  Sleepy  Creek,  Va. 

Ludwig  Duckwald  and  John  Neidig  authorized  to  "administer 
all  the  ordinances  of  the  house  of  God,  according  to  the  Scriptures." 

By  a  vfete  of  nine  to  three  decided  not  to  keep  a  register  of  the 
members  of  the  church. 

"Besolved,  that  in  case  one  of  our  superintendents,  W.  Otterbein 
or  M.  Boehm,  should  die,  another  minister  shall  be  elected  to  fdl 
the  place.  This  is  the  will  of  those  two  brethren,  and  the  un- 
animous wish  of  all  the  i)reachers  present." 

Otterbein   preached   the   conference   sermon   the   second    day. 

Adjournment  third  day. 

During  May,  June,  August,  September,  October,  19  great  meetings. 

Xote: — Soon  after  conference  a  quarterly  meeting  on  the  old 
Huffman  place  below  Pleasant  Valley.  Guething  and  Newcomer 
went  home  with  the  Moyers,  who  lived  in  a  log  house  (where  now 


22() 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


is  a  brick  house)   near  the  Mennonite  church  on  the  Valley  Pike. 
They  tlien  went  10  miles  further  to  A.  M.  Hivener's. 

1803 

Conference  at  David  Snyder's,  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  ()ct()l)er  5, 
for  a  three  day  session. 

Present:  William  Otterbein,  Martin  Boehm,  Christian  New- 
comer, David  Snyder,  John  Hershey,  Peter  Kemp,  Abraham  Meyer, 
Christopher  Crosh,  Christian  Crum,  Valentine  Flugel,  John  Winter, 
Frederick  Schaell'er,  (ieorge  Benedum— 13. 

Boehm  and  (irosh  a  connnittee  to  station  the  preachers  of 
Pennsylvania.  Maryland  left  to  the  preachers  of  that  state.  Bene- 
dum nnd  Crum  to  call  a  meeting  of  tlie  Virginia  preacherj>  and 
arrange  their  fields  of  labor. 

1804 

Conference  against  at  Snyder's,  October  3. 

Because  of  an  epidemic  in  the  country  around,  only  5  members 
were  present.  Martin  Boehm,  Abraham  Meyer,  Frederick  Schaeffer, 
Christian  Newcomer,  Matthias  Bortsfield. 

Died:    Dr.  Peter  Senseny,  of  Winchester. 

Xote:— In  the  preceding  May,  Otterbein  preached  twice  at  a 
sacramental  meeting  in   the   Guething  meeting  house. 

1805 

Conference    at    the    house    of   Jacob    Baulus,    near    Middletown, 

Md.,  May  29. 

Present:  21  preachers. 

Otterbein  and  Boehm  re-elected  bishops. 

Newcomer  to  travel  through  the  (ierman  settlements  in  Mary- 
land and  Pennsylvania,  and  Christian  Crum  in  those  of  Virginia. 

1806 

Conference  at  Lorenz  Eberhart's  Frederick  Co.,  Md.,  May  21, 
lasting  three  days  as  usual. 

Itinerants:    Joseph  Hoffman,  Christian  Crum. 

Great  meetings  arranged  for. 

Present:  John  Neidig,  Peter  Kemp,  John  Hershey,  Henry  Crum, 
Lorenz  Eberhart,  Christian  Crum,  Christian  Newcomer,  George  A. 
Guething,  Joseph  Hoffman,  Michael  Thomas,  Jacob  Baulus. 

1807 

Conference  at  Christian  Herr's,  Lancaster  Co..  Ba. 
Martin  Boehm  presided. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


227 


Present:  Martin  Boehm,  Isaac  Niswander,  John  Neidig,  Joseph 
Hofl'man,  Christian  Hershey,  Christian  Newcomer,  Abraham  Meyer, 
Frederick  Schaeffer,  George  A.  Guetliing,  Abraham  Hershey.  David 
Snyder,   Christian    Crum,   Christian    Smith.    David    Long— 14. 

Died:    Jacob  Geisinger. 

1808 

Conference  at  Abraham  Niswander's  in   Virginia,  May  28.  ^ 

Present:  Christian  Newcomer,  Isaac  Niswander,  Ludwig  Duck- 
wald,  Abraham  Meyer,  George  A.  Guething,  Joseph  Hotlman,  Peter 
Kemp,  Christian  Crum,  Jacob  Baulus,  (Ieorge  Holfman,  David 
Snyder,  William  Ambrose,  Frederick  Duckwald,  John  Hershey— 14. 
Hitherto,  the  annual  conference  liad  granted  license  to  exhort. 
The  following  rule  adopted,  the  great  distances  to  l)e  traveled  on 
horseback  often  preventing  the  attendance  of  members:  "Those 
who  desire  to  receive  license  to  preach  among  us  shall  be  examined 
at  a  great  meeting;  and,  if  favorably  reported,  two  of  the  elders 
shall  grant  them  license  for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time, 
their  license  may  be  renewed  at  a  great  meeting." 

1809 

Conference  again  at  Christian  Herr's,  May  10. 

Bishop  Boehm  presided. 

Present:  Martin  Boehm,  Adam  Reigel,  Christian  Smith,  Joseph 
Hoffman,  Isaac  Niswander,  (ieorge  A.  (mething.  Christian  Hershey, 
Christian  Newcomer,  John  Hershey,  Abraham  Hershey,  Diwid 
Long,  David  Snyder,  Abraham  Meyer,  Frederick  Schaeffer,  Matthias 
Bortsfield,  (ieorge  Benedum,  Christopher  (irosh,  John   Snyder— 18. 

The  subject  of  union  or  fellowshij)  with  the  Methodists  received 
a  great  deal  of  attention. 

Xote: Enoch    George    (Methodist)    and    Newcomer   and    (iueth- 

ing  (U.  B.)  met  at  Guething's  home,  February  13,  1809.  Newcomer 
attended  the  Baltimore  Conference  of  the  Methodists  at  Harrison- 
burg, Va.,  to  promote  a  fraternal  union.  A  connnittee  was  appointed 
to  meet  him,  and  the  correspondence  thus  begun  continued  sev- 
eral years.  * 

1810 

Conference  again  at  John  Cronise's,  June  3. 

Present:   16  ministers. 

Salary  of  an  unmarried  preacher  fixed  at  $80. 

The  elder  preachers  required  to  visit  all  the  appointments,  in 
all  the  fields  of  labor,  twice  during  the  year,  if  at  all  possible. 

A  letter  from  the  Methodist  Conference  on  the  subject  of  a  close 
union    between   the   two   churches    was   answered   in    a   fraternal 


228 


UNITED    HHKTHHEN 


spirit.     The  church   at   Rnltimore   sent   a   letter   to   the   conference 
on  the  same  subject. 

Note:— The  lirst  United  Bret!iren  conference  west  of  the  .\lle- 
^hanies  was  the  first  session  of  the  Miami,  lield  near  Germantown, 
().,  August  18,  Bishop  Newcomer  presiding. 

1811 

^        Conference  in  Cumberhmd  Co.,  Pa..  May  23. 

President:  Christopher  (Jrosh,  Christian  Smith,  (ieorge  A. 
(Uiething.  Christian  Newcomer,  Abraham  Draksel,  Christian  Crum, 
Jacob  Baulus,  David  Snyder,  Matthias  Kessler,  Joseph  Hoffman! 
Isaac  Niswander,  Jacob  Winter,  David  Eong,  Frederick  Scliaefl'er, 
Christian  Hershey,  Joseph  Jordan.  Henry  Hiestand,  Michael  Baer, 
(ieorge  Hoffman,  Peter  Swartz — 20. 

Died:  Martin  Boehm,  aged  86;  Peter  Kemp  February  20,  while 
his  family  and  friends  were  in  morning  prayers  at  his  bedside; 
John  Hershey. 

Licensed  to  preach:   Jacob  Winter,  Peter  Swartz. 
Licensed   to  exhort:    Joseph   Jordan,   Michael   Hersliev. 

1812 

Conference  at  (Uiething  meeting  house,  Md.,  May  13. 
Present:  Christian  Newcomer,  Abraham  Draksel,  Lsaac  Nis- 
wander, Valentine  Baulus,  Lorenz  Everhart,  Christian  Berger, 
Ceorge  Cuething,  Jacob  Dehof,  Christian  Crum,  Joseph  Hoffinan', 
Af>raham  Meyer,  Jacob  Baulus,  Michael  Thomas,  Henry  Hiestand! 
Martin  Crider,  George  A.  Guething,  Christian  Smith,  David  Snvder! 
Abraham  Hershey,  Jacot)  Weidner,  Henrv  G.  Spavth,  John 
Crider— 22. 

Salary  for  a  married  preacher  fixed  at  i^lOO. 

Itinerants:    H.  Hiestand,  H.  G.  Spayth. 

Much  consideration  given  to  the  fraternal  correspondence  with 
the  Methodists.     Delegates  present  from  tlie  Baltimore  and   Phila- 
delphia conferences  of  the  Methodists.     Unanimously  resolved  that 
friendship  and  love  shall  be  maintained  between  the  two  churches 
Fraternal  delegates  appointed. 

Church  work  placed  under  the  care  of  superintendents  or 
elders,  who  were  assigned  districts  and  authorized  to  hold  small 
conferences  on  the  circuits,  whenever  necessary 

July  30  and  October  29  appointed  days  of  fasting,  praver,  and 
Jianksgiving,   to   be   observed   throughout   the   denomination. 

The  following  a  recorded  roll  of  all  the  ministers  of  the 
church  who  up  to  this  date  were  authorized  *'to  administer  all 
the  ordinances  of  the  house  of  God."     None  were  ordained      The 


CHURCH    IllSTOHY 


22i/ 


I 


authorization  had  been  at  some  great  meeting,  or  a  conference  to 
administer  the  sacraments: 

William  Otterbein,  Christian  Newcomer,  Christoi)her  Grosli, 
John  Neidig,  Christian  Hershey,  Isaac  Niswander,  Peter  Kemp. 
Martin  Boehm,  Christian  Crum,  Abraham  Draksel,  David  Long, 
Abi'aham  Meyer,  Daniel  Troyer.  Adam  Biegel,  George  A.  Guething. 
,I()hn  Hershey,  Ludwig  Duckwald,  Abraham  Hershe\.  William  Am- 
t>:-()se,  George  Benedum,  Frederick  Schaelfer,  Joseph  llolVman. 
David  Snyder,  David  Gingerich,  Christian  Smith,  (Christian   Berger. 

Died:    Matthias    Kessler.   George   A.   Guething. 

A.  Meyer  to  assist  in  holding  two  great  meetings  in  Virginia. 
Spa>th   to  visit   Virginia   in   November. 

Note: — (iuething  was  secretary  of  the  confei'ence  from  ISOn  to 
1812,  inclusive.  Shortly  before  his  death  he  finished  transcribing 
the   minutes   from   loose   leaves   into   a   conference   book. 

1813 

Conference   again   at   (^Jiristian   Herr's. 

Christopher  Grosh,  chairman;  CJiristian  Smith,  secretai'>-. 

Present:  Christo|)her  Grosh,  ('hristian  Newcomer,  John  Neidig, 
Abraham  Meyer,  Adam  Biegel,  C^hristian  Crum,  Frederick  Schaef- 
fer,  Jacob  Baulus,  Valentine  Baulus,  David  Snyder,  ('hristian 
Hershey,  Abraham  Hershey,  George  Guething,  Michael  Baer,  Heniy 
G.  Spayth.  (Christian   Smith,  Henry  Hiest;md,  .loseph   .loi'dan  — 18. 

Licensed  to  exhort:  .lohn  Brown.  John  Geisinger.  ('harles  Has- 
sel,  George  Kill). 

An  address,  signed  by  Bishop  .Xsbui'y,  received  from  tlu'  B.ilti- 
more  Methodist  Conference,  and  Newcomer  and  Baulus  directed  t(* 
prepare  a  reply. 

Newcomer,  Crum,  Hoffman,  and  Baulus  appointed  a  connniltee 
to  meet  a  committee  from  the  Evangelical  Association  for  the  pur- 
pose of  effecting  an  organic  union.  This  proceeding  grew  out  of 
a  visit  by  Newcomer  to  the  Evangelical  conference  in  A])ril.  1813. 
He  was  given  a  letter  to  be  laid  before  the  United  Brethren  con- 
ference. The  committee, — Newcomer,  Crum,  Hoffman,  and  Baulus, 
— met  the  Evangelical  committee  at  New  Berlin,  Pa.,  and  con- 
ferred several  days  without  coming  to  any  conclusion.  The 
Albrights (  Evangelicals)  had  been  wonking  about  15  years,  and 
had  15  itinerants  and  800  members.  Their  general  conference  of 
181(5  changed  the  name  of  the  denomination  to  its  present  form,  and 
discussed  the  proposed  union.  A  committee  of  six  from  each 
church  met  at  Henry  Kumler's  in  1817,  but  failed  to  come  to  any 
understanding. 

Christian   Newcomer   elected   bishop   for  one  year. 


230 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Ordered   that   the   Discipline   and   the   Confession   of   Faith   be 

printed. 

Died:    William  Otterbein,  aged  87. 

1814 

Conference  at  Hagerstown,  Md.,   May  24. 

C.  Newcomer,  bishop;  J.  Baulus,  secretary. 

Present:  Christian  Newcomer,  Abraliam  Meyer,  John  Baer, 
David  Snyder,  (ieorge  (ieeting,  Thomas  Winter,  Frederick  Schaef- 
fer,  Christian  Crum,  Jacob  Dehof,  Henry  C.  Spayth,  Joseph  Hotl- 
man.  Christopher  (irosh,  Valentine  Baukis,  Herman  Ow,  John 
Neidig,  John  Snyder,  Jacob  Baulus,  Isaac  Niswander,  Christian 
Smith,  Christian   Berger,  Michael  Thomas— 21. 

Licensed  to  preach:  John  Bathfang,  Joseph  Fry,  George  Kolb, 
John  (ieisinger,  Henry  Kumler,  Jacob  \Venger. 

Authorized  to  administer  the  ordinances:  Herman  Ow,  John 
^inyder,  Henry  G.  Spayth. 

Christian  Newcomer  elected  bishop  for  three  years. 

Christian  Hershey  elected  presiding  elder  for  two  years  "over 
the  district  in  his  part  of  the  country." 

A  letter  from  Otterbein's  congregation  expressing  the  wish  to 
connect  itself  with  the  United  Brethren  and  thus  to  be  supplied 
with  preachers  in  future. 

The  lirst  Thursday  in  August  designated  as  a  day  of  fasting 
and  prayer. 

Itinerants:  John  Snyder,  Hagerstown  circuit;  Henry  G.  Spayth, 
Kockinghani  circuit. 

1815 

Conference  at  Henry  Kunder's,  Franklin  Co.,  Pa.,  May  9. 

G.  Newcomer,  bishop;  J.  Baulus,  secretary. 

Present:  Christian  Newcomer,  David  Snyder,  Isaac  Niswander, 
Valentine  Baulus,  Henry  Kumler,  Jacob  Baulus,  Christian  Berger. 
Jonas  Witmer,  John  Neidig,  John  Baer,  Jacob  Dehof,  Henry  G. 
Spayth,  Michael  Baer,  Henry  J.  Fry,  Joseph  Hotfman,  Abraham 
Meyer,  John  Crider,  John  Snyder,  George  Geeting,  Henry  Hiestand, 
Jacob  Wenger,  Jacob  Winter — 22. 

Licensed  to  preach:  Peter  Swartz,  Valentine  Hiskey,  Jonas 
Witmer. 

Licensed  to  exhort:  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Jacob  Flickinger,  George 
Brown,  Samuel  Huber,  Samuel  Brandt. 

A  camp  meeting,— the  first  by  the  United  Brethren, — ordered  at 
Bockv  Springs,  Franklin  Co.,  Pa.,  August  11. 

1816 

Conference  at  the  house  of  David  Long.  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.. 
:May  7,  , 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


231 


C.  Newcomer,  bishop;  J.  Baulus,  secretary. 

Licensed  to  preach:    Jacob  Flickinger,  Sanuiel  Huber.  William 

Brown. 

Ordained:     Henry    Kunder,    George    Geeting,    George    HofTman. 

Peter  Swartz. 

Presiding   elders    (for    two    years):      A.    Meyer,    J.    HofTnKin,   J. 

Baulus. 

Camp  meeting  ordered  at  MiddlekolUs.  four  miles  from  Hagers- 
town, Md.,  August  8. 

Present:  Christian  Newcomer,  Jolin  Neidig,  David  Snyder. 
George  (Ieeting,  Abraliam  Hershey,  Peter  Swartz,  Al)raham  Meyer. 
Christian  Smith,  Henry  Kunder.  Jacob  Dehof,  Hermon  Ow,  Jaco!) 
Baulus,  John  Snyder,  Joseph  Holfman,  Miciiael  Baer,  David  Long, 
(ieorge  Hoffman — 1 7. 

1817 

Conference  at   Guetiiing's  meeting  house,  Md.,  May  15. 

C.  Newcomer,  bishop:  J.  Baulus  and  John  Hildt,  secretaries. 

Present:  Christian  Newcomer,  Cliristian  Hershey,  John  Snyder. 
John  Crider,  Michael  Thomas,  Jacob  Winter,  John  Baer,  Cliristian 
Berger,  William  Brown,  Abraham  Meyer,  Jacob  Baulus.  Valentine 
Baulus,  Jacob  Dehof,  George  (.eeting,  Conrad  Both.  Henry  Kunder, 
John  Hildt,  David  Fleck,  John  Neidig.  Joseph  Hoffman,  Henry  G. 
Spayth,  Samuel  Huber,  Isaac  Niswander,  Jacob  Wenger,  Jacob 
Flickinger,  George  Brown — 26. 

Licensed  to  preach:  J.  Hildt,  Jacob  Brazer,  William  Brown, 
D.  Flick. 

Ordained:    J.  Crider,  V.  Baulus. 

Camp  meeting  Hxed  for  August   14  at  MiddlekolUs,  Md. 

Presiding  elders:    J.  Snyder,  H.  Kunder. 

Presiding  elders  directed  to  keep  an  account  of  the  moneys 
collected  by  the  traveling  preachers,  and  what  was  paid  out  to 
them  in  settlement,  report  to  conference,  and  see  that  the  settle- 
ment is  recorded  in  the  minutes. 

1818 

Conference   at   the  house  of  Christian   Hershey,   Lancaster,   Co.. 

Pa.,  May  5. 

C.  Newcomer,  bishop. 

Present:  Christian  Newcomer,  Joseph  HofTman,  iValentine 
Baulus,  Samuel  Huber,  Jacob  Lehman,  Joseph  Jordan,  John  Snyder. 
David  Fleck,  J.  Zentmyer,  A.  Zeller,  Abraham  Meyer,  William 
Brown,  Michael  Baer,  Christian  Hershey,  John  Geisinger,  George 
Brown,  George  Kolb,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Christopher  (irosh,  Henry 
Kunder,  Jacob  Wenger,  Henry  G.  Spayth,  Daniel  Gingerich,  Arba- 
ham  Hershey,  Conrad  Roth,  Christian  Smith— 26. 


-232 


UNITED    BHETHREN 


Licensed  to  exhort:  Abraham  Horner,  John  Hussel,  (Conrad 
AVeist. 

Licensed  to  preach:    Daniel  Pfeifer. 

('amp  meeting  fixed  for  MiddlekofV's  for  August. 

Letter  from  Baltimore  stirred  up  interest  in  I'aising  funds  for 
frontier  preachers. 

1(S19 

Conference  at  Valentine  Doub's.  Frederick  ('o.,  Md.,  May  4. 

l^resent:  (Christian  Xewcomei-,  Andrew  Zeller,  Adam  Lehman, 
Isaac  Niswander,  John  Crider.  James  Wenger,  (ieorge  (luethijig, 
Samuel  Huher,  David  Hook,  William  Brown,  John  Bussel,  Abraham 
Meyer,  Michael  Baer,  John  Hildt,  John  Neidig,  Michael  Thomas, 
Daniel  Pfeifer,  John  Snyder,  John  Brown,  ('onrad  Weist,  .lohn 
Felterhof.  .lacob  Baer,  .lohn  Brown,  .lohn  Cdotler,  .lohn  Hofl'er — 2.'). 

Received:    John    Brown,   (]onrad   Weist. 

Licensed  to  exhort:  John  Felterhof,  James  Baer,  John  Brown, 
John  (lloU'er,  John  Holler. 

Letter  from  W.  Line,  P.egister  of  (Uimberland  Co.,  Pa.,  announc- 
ing thnt  David  Snyder  had  beciueathed  to  the  Conference  one 
thousand  dollars,  payable  one  year  after  the  death  of  his  wife. 
Letter  entered  on  the  minutes. 

Abraham  Me\er  paid  in  lifty  dollars  to  be  distributed  among  the 
poor  itinerimt  members  in  Ohio,  according  to  the  wishes  of  the 
donor,  Elizabeth  Sn\(ler,  and  the  money  given  into  the  care  of 
Bro.  Zellei'. 

After  paying  all  expenses,  the  sum  of  s()().24  in  the  (A)nference 
treasury  was  ordered  to  be  distributed  among  the  itinerants  in  Ohio. 

Ord;iined:  Williiim  Brown.  David  Heck.  Samuel  Huf)er,  James 
Wenger. 

Died:    David  Snyder,  aged  ,')7;  Valentine  Baulus,  aged  ,")(). 
(]amp   meetings   ordered   at    Pleasant    Valley.    Washington    ('o., 
]Md.,   August  5;    Bocky   Si)rings.   Pa.,   August    2();    l^ockingham    Co., 
Va.,  September  9. 

Presiding  elders:  Samuel  Huber,  Hagerstown  Dist.:  Abrahnm 
Meyer,  .luniata;  .lacob  Baulus,  Virginia;  John   Xeidig.   Lancaster. 

Appointments:  John  Snyder,  Baltimore;  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Hagers- 
town; David  Heck,  .luniata;  William  Brown  and  Conrad  Weist, 
Virginia;  Ohio,  .fohn  Paissel.  John   Felterhof. 

1820 

(Conference  at  the  house  of  (k^nrad  Xicodenuis.  Washijigton, 
Co..  Md.,  May  2. 

Present:  (Christian  Newcomer,  Abraham  Meyer,  Isaac  Niswan- 
der, John  Crider,  Michael  Thomas,  Sanuiel  Huber,  David  Heck, 
William  Brown,  John   Brown,  (Conrad  Weist,  James  Baulus.  John 


B 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


233 


Hildt,  John  Snyder,  John  Brown,  deorge  Brown,  Jacob  Weidner, 
Jacob  Dunahoo,  George  Cuething,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Jacob  Adam 
Lehman,  Jacob  Baer,  David  Baer,  Henry  Werbe  (?),  John  HatVord, 
Christian  Hershey,  John  Cloffer,  Jacob  Dehof — 27. 

Abraham  Meyer,  chairman;  John   Hildt,  secretary. 

Licensed:      John    Brown,    Diivid    Baei\    Jacob    Dunahoo.    Jacob 
Baer.  for  six  months. 

Received  from  Elizabeth  Snyder  for  the  traveling  preachers,  ^25. 

Ordained:  John  Hildt,  (Ieorge  Brown,  David  Pfeifer,  Henry 
Werbe.  * 

Camp  meeting  dates:  Rockingham  (Co.,  Va.,  August  3;  Pleasant 
Valley,  Md.,  August    17;   Rock   Springs.  Pa.,  August   24. 

Licensed  to  exhort:    (Christian  Traub. 

Presiding  elders:  (Ieorge  Cuething.  Va.;  Sanuiel  Hiibei",  Hagers- 
town; Abraham  Meyer,  Juniata;  .loim   Neidig,   Lancaster. 

Appointments:  John  Snyder,  Baltimore;  William  Brown  and 
Conrad  Weist,  Hagerstown;  John  Brown,  Juniata;  Daniel  Pfeifer 
and  Jacob  Dunahoo,  Virginia. 

"(rod  be  praised  for  the  blessings  we  received  on  this  occasion. 
C\Iay  He  grant  his  blessings  on  our  i)roceedings." 

1821 

(Conference  at  Hagerstown,  Md..  April  10. 

Present:  (Christian  Newcomer.  Jacob  liaulus,  Abraham  Meyer, 
John  (Crider,  Samuel  Huber.  John  Snyder,  Henry  Werbe,  William 
Brown,  Joseph  llotlman.  John  Brown  (Pa.),  John  Brown  (Va.), 
;Conrad  Weist,  Daniel  Pfeifer.  Peter  Schwariz,  Jacob  Dehof,  (ieorge 
Cuething,  Michael  Baer.  John  Bussel.  Jacob  Fleckinger,  Jacob 
Dunahoo,  (Christian   lUirkhardt,  John   lialVord,  Samuel  Brant— 23. 

C.  Newcomer,  bishop;  A.  Meyer,  chairman;  J.  Hildt,  secretary. 

Presiding  elders   api)ointe(l   a  committee   to  select   the   traveling 

preachers. 

Licensed:  John  (Joller,  John  Ilalford.  (Christian  Traub  and 
Henry  Burtner  licensed  for  two  years  on  trial. 

Ordained:    John  Brown  (Va.),  John  Brown  (Pa.). 

Died:    (Christian   (Crumb,   Isaac  Niswander,  Frederick   Herr. 

Picceived  during  the  year  for  the  support  of  the  itinerancy, 
.$430.07.     Each  preacher  received  s73.2L 

Itinerants  for  the  year:  John  Snyder,  William  Brown,  (Conrad 
Weist,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  (Christian  Traub,  John  Brown  (Va.),  Jaco!) 
Dunahoo,   John    Brown    (Pa.),   Henry    Burtner. 

P>aulus,  Snyder,  Hoirman,  Meyer,  Cuething,  Traub,  Hershey.  a 
committee  to  devise  a  plan  to  secure  funds  to  support  the  itinerant 
ministers,  reported  as  follows:  "Resolved  by  the  ministers  of  the 
(Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  (Christ  in  (Conference  assembled. 


234 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


that  there  is  a  ^reat  necessity  of  forming  a  society  and  create  a 
fund  from  which  the  poor  travehng  and  wornout  and  superan- 
nuated members  shall  be  supported."  Resolved,  that  for  every 
circuit  agents  be  appointed  there  to  invite  persons  to  join  this 
society  and  to  ^et  subscriptions.  "Resolved,  that  this  annual  con- 
ference appoint  a  committee  to  draw  up  a  constitution  for  this 
benevolent  societv  and  lav  it  before  the  next  annual  conference. 
R(isolved,  that  in  order  to  help  those  that  m'v  in  need  now,  a 
subscription  (be  taken)  and  have  it  circulated  in  the  conferences. 
Resolved,  that  copies  of  these  resolutions  be  st^t  to  the  -eneral 
and  the  annual  conferences   of  Pennsylvania   and   Ohio." 

Resolution  unanimously  adopted.  Hildt  and  Baulus  appointed  a 
committee  to  prepare  a  constitution  and  submit  it  to  the  next  ses- 
sion of  conference.     The  presiding  elders  to  act  as  agents. 

\lso  agreed  to  ask  from  next  (General  Conference  to  change 
the  second  article  in  our  Discipline  as  far  as  it  relates  to  members 

of  general  conferences.  *  »    i.. 

Camp    meetings:      Maryland,     August     2;     Virginia,     August    lb; 

I»ennsylvania,  August  30. 

1822 

Conference   at   the   house   of   Mr.   Kauge,    Cumberland    Co..   Pa.. 

April  9. 

C    Newcomer  and  J.  HofTman,  bishops;  J.  Hildt,  secretary. 

Present-  \braham  Mever,  .John  Neidig,  Abraham  Hershey, 
Michael  Baer,  John  Brown  (Va.),  Jacob  Wenger,  Daniel  Pfeifer. 
Henry  Spavth,  Samuel  Huber,  William  Brown,  Jacob  Dunahoo. 
Conrad  Weist,  Christian  Smith,  John  Hildt,  Valentine  Hershey. 
George  Guething,  Henry  Werbe,  David  Baer,  Christian  Traub,  John 
Hoffard,  Henry  Burtner,  Herman  Ow,  John  Brown  (Pa.),  George 
Benedum,  Jacob  Brazer,  John  Snyder,  Thomas  Kartin(  ?)— 27. 

Itinerants:  William  Brown,  Conrad  Weist,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  John 
Brown  (Pa.),  John  Snyder,  John  Brown  (Va.)  Christian  Traub. 
Henrv  Burtner,  Samuel  Huber. 

Committe  on  itinerants  reported  they  had  secured  during  the 
year  for  the  support  of  ministers,  .^620.50,  which,  divided,  gave  to 
every  married  preacher,  $124.10;  to  every  single  preacher,  .^02.05. 

A  letter  prepared  in  reply  to  one  received  from  the  preacher 
and  delegates  of  the  Methodist  society  in  New  York  was  ordered 

sent. 

The  plan  reported  by  the  committee  on  constitution  for  bene- 
volent society  was  adopted  and  the  following  trustees  appointed: 
John  Brazer,  Chambersburg;  Valentine  Doub,  Frederick  Co.; 
Andreas  Newcomer,  Washington  Co.;  John  Cronise,  Frederick  Co.; 
Samuel  Huber,  Rocky  Springs;  Jacob  Wenger,  Franklin  Co.;  Geor;:-.? 
Martin,  Hagerstown. 


1 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


235 


Presiding  elders  reported  i?400  subscribed  to  the  benevolent 
society,  and  were  authoribed  to  continue  their  efTorts. 

Licensed  to  preach:   Thomas  Hustin,  John  Reder. 

Licensed  to  exhort:   James  Ewig,  Lorenz  Esterlin. 

Ordained:    Conrad  Weist,  David  Raer,  Valentine  Hiskey. 

Trustees  of  benevolent  society  authorized  to  have  society  incor- 
porated and  constitution  printed. 

1823 
Conference   at    the   residence   of   John    Cronise,    Frederick    Co., 

^'^C.^Nlwcmner,  bishop;  G.  Guething,  chairman;  J.  Hildt,  secretary. 

Present-  Abraham  Hershey,  Abraham  Meyer,  Samuel  Huber, 
\braham  Huber,  William  Rrown,  John  Brown  (Pa.)  John  Brown 
(Va)  Conrad  Weist,  Jacob  Dunahoo,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Ch -stian 
Traub,  Henry  Burtner,  John  Hildt,  John  Crider,  Jacob  Wenger. 
(ieorge  (kiething,  John  Hatford,  Jacob  Dehof— 18. 

Licensed:     Gideon    Smith,   Jacob   Erb,   John    HaiVord,    Abraham 

Huber.  ,^,  .,.     ...     , 

Ordained:    Christian  Traub,  Henry  Burtner,  Philip  /legler. 

Died:    Henrv  Werbe,  James  Brazer. 

Presiding  eiders:  John  Snider,  William  Brown,  Abraham 
Hershey,    Abraham    Meyer,    John    Hildt,     George     (.uething.     John 

Crider. 

Itinerants  for  the  coming  year:  William  Brown,  Conrad  Weist, 
John  Brown,  Henry  Burtner,  Christian  Traub,  Daniel  Pfeifer, 
Jacob  Erb,  Gideon   Smith. 

Received  for  support  of  traveling  preachers,  $727.  Paid  to 
William  Rrown  and  John  Rrown,  each,  i<128.54;  to  .lacob  Dunahoo, 
Conrad  Weist,  Christian  Traub,  John  Rrown,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  each, 
$1)4.27;  to  Samuel  Huber,  $17.02. 

Treasurer  of  benevolent  society  reported  $11.50  in  hand,  after 
paying  all  expenses,  amounting  to  $9.50.  Voted  that  the  $11.50 
be  sent  by  C.  Newcomer  to  the  brethren  of  Ohio  Conference. 

1824 

Conference  at  Shauman's  church.  Pleasant  Valley,  Md.,  May  4. 

C.  Newcomer  and  J.  Hoffman,  bishops;  John  Hildt  and  John  G. 
Pfrimmer,  secretaries. 

Present:  Abraham  Meyer,  George  Guething,  Samuel  Huber,  John 
Crider,  Jacob  Dehof,  W^illiam  Rrown,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Conrad  Weist, 
Henry  Rurtner,  John  Hildt,  John  Hafford,  David  Heck,  John  Rrown, 
David  Raer,  John  ClolTer,  John  (..  Pfrimmer,  Jacob  Wenger,  (.ideon 
Smith,  Jacob  Erb,  William  Abels,  John  Eckart,  Michael  Thomas, 
Lorenz  Estalin — 23. 


236 


UNITED    BKETHHEN 


Licensed  to  preach:    Lorenz  Estalin,  James  Evvii,^ 

Licensed  to  exhort:    John   Fry,  James   Debold.  John   Brubaker 

(renewal). 

Ordained:    William  Abels. 

Died:    Abraham   Lehman,   aged   90. 

Itinerants  for  coming  year:  William  Brown,  John  Brown,  Con- 
rad Weist,  Henry  Burtner,   Daniel   Pfeifer,  William   Abels,   (lideon 

Snell,  Jacob  Doubs. 

Money  collected  for  traveling  preachers,  i^OlS.OO.  Paid  to  Wil- 
liam Brown,  .^119;  to  John  Brown,  .S142.70;  to  Henry  Burtner, 
Gideon  Smith,  and  Conrad  Weist,  each,  $71.37;  to  Daniel  Pfeifer, 
i<59.50;  to  Jacob  Erb,  $47.,58;  to  Christian  Traub,  $35.71. 

Trustees  of  benevolent  society  report  in  hand,  i=^28.()l.  Voted 
that  the  part  belonging  to  this  conference  $9.50  be  given  to  Chris- 
tian Traub,  who  has  been  very  sick  a  long  term  and  in  great  need 

for  help. 

Besolved  that  the  election  of  delegates  to  the  next  General  (con- 
ference be  held  on  or  before  January  1,  1825,  and  that  to  every 
one  elected  the  earliest  personal  notice  be  given. 

Besolved  that  Thursday,  July  30,  be  set  apart  as  a  day  of  fasting 
and  prayer. 

1825 

Conference  at  Petersburg,  Adams  Co.,  Pa..  May  10. 
Present:  Christian  Newcomer.  John  Hihh,  Abraham  Meyer, 
Abraham  Hershey,  (leorge  Guething,  John  Brown,  Conrad  Weist, 
Gideon  Smith,  Jacob  Erb,  Henry  Burtner,  Jacob  Doub,  John  H af- 
ford, William  I^rown,  John  Crider,  David  Heck,  Samuel  Huber, 
Abraham  Huber,  David  Baer,  John  Snyder,  John  Xeidig,  Christian 
Smith,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Valentine  Hickey,  John  Fry,  Lorenz  Estalin, 
Jacob  Wenger,  John  Clopper,  Christian  Traub,  William  Abels— 29. 

Committee  on  complaints,  should  any  be  made:    C Xeidig, 

Meyer,  John  Brown,  William  Brown,  Jacob  Doub. 

After  all   the   members   present  were  examined,  conference   in- 
quired  into   the   character   of   the   following   absent   brethren:    W. 
Bhinehart,    Christian    Shopp,   John    Sewell    (?),    John    Zahn,    John 
Crack,   Jacob    Debolt,   John    Hendricks,    James     Snyder,     Abraham 
Hershe\ . 

Committee    on    complaints    reported    on    Samuel     Huber,    Jaco[) 
Wenger,  and  Christian  Traub,  and  the  report  adopted. 

The  cases  of  those   brethren   who  are  on   trial   were   taken   up 
and  a  continuance  on  trial  decided  upon. 

Itinerants  for  coming  year:    William  Brown,  John  Brown,  Con- 
rad Weist,  Jacob  Erb,  Jacob  Doub,  Gideon  Smith. 

Besolved    in    future    to    omit    "Beverend"    in    our    addresses    to 
brethren. 


CHUBCH    HISTOBY 


237 


< 


Licensed  to  preach:  William  Bhinehart,  John  Zahn,  John  Hend- 
ricks, Christian  Shoop,  John  Crack,  James  Snyder,  Abraham 
Hershey.  John  Fry. 

Licensed  to  exhort:    John   Smith,  Thomas  Oberholtz. 

The  secretaries  shall  give  notice  to  Bro.  (^eisinger  that  they 
can  do  nothing  for  him. 

Beport   on    the   conduct    of  John   Snyder   unanimously   adopted. 

Beceived  on  support  of  traveling  preachers  during  the  year, 
$711 .4(). 

1825  (Second  Session) 

Conference  at  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  November  17. 

C.  Newcomer  and  Henry  Kumler,  bishops;  William  Brown  and 
Gideon  Smith,  secretaries. 

Present:  John  Hildt  (P.  E.),  Abraham  Meyer  (P.  E.),  William 
Brown  (P.  E.),  George  Guething  (P.  E.),  Samuel  Huber,  Valentine 
Hiskey,  Jacob  Erb,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Gideon  Smith,  John  Hendricks, 
John  Brown,  Jacob  Doub,  Henry  Burtner,  Conrad  Weist,  Daniel 
Heck,  John  Bider,  John  Baer,  Abraham  Huber,  John  Wenger,  Jacob 
Wenger,  Jacob  Debold,  Jonah  Whitcom,  Jonah  Houk,  Jonah  Haf- 
ford,  Simon  Drislock,  Christian  Shoop,  Henry  Kumbalin,  Lorenz 
Estalin,  John  Fry,  John  (.eisinger,  David  Baer— 31. 

AhMubers  of  other  conferences  or  synods  shall  have  a  seal  in 
this  conference  but   no  vote. 

No  complaints  i)referre(l. 

Continued  on  trial:   John  Hairord,  Abraham  Huber,  Jonali  Houk. 

Ordained:    John  Bider,  (.ideon  Smith,  Jacob  Erb. 

Itinerants  for  coming  year:  William  Brown,  John  Brown, 
Gideon  Smith.  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Conrad  Weist,  Simon  Drislock,  John 
Hendricks.  Jacob  Debold. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  the  preachers  to  appoint  class-meet- 
ings at  all  regular  appointments  and  to  urge  attendance  upon  them. 

Licensed  to  preach:  Daniel  Godnatt,  Thomas  Miller,  Henry 
Kinnnerling,  Jonah   Houk,  Peter  Habecker,  Ezekiel   Boring. 

Licensed    to    exhort:     Michael    Carver,    James    Newman,    James 

Sutton. 

Besolved  that  December  23  next  be  set  apart  as  a  day  of  prayer. 

1820 

Conference  at  the  residence  of  Bro.  Sh()i)p,  Cumberland  Co., 
Pa.,  Ai)ril  3. 

C.  Newcomer  an<l  H.  Kumler,  bishops;  Henry  Spayth,  secretary. 

Present:  Abraham  Meyer,  John  Crider,  (ieorge  (iuething,  Wil- 
liam Brown,  John  Brown,  Christian  Smith,  Samuel  Huber,  Jonah 
Wilcom,   David   Baer,   John   Hildt,    Henry   Spayth,    Conrad   Weist, 


238 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Abraham  Hershev,  Jacob  Debold,  John  Geisinger,  John  Zahn,  Valen- 
tine Hiskev,  Jacob  Erb,  John  Hendricks,  John  Crack,  Christian 
Shopp  Christian  Hershev,  Peter  Schwartz,  Simon  Drislock,  James 
Snyder,  Gideon  Smith,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Christian  Ludxvig,  Thomas 
Miller,  Ezekiel  Borini^,  Joseph  Marsh  (exhorter),  John  Neidig, 
Michael  Carver  (exhorter),  James  Newman  (exhorter),  Daniel  God- 
natt,  Jonah  Houk,  Abraham  Hershev,  Christian  Traiib,  James  Rupp, 
John  Hoffman — 42. 

Itinerants  for  coming  year:  William  Brown,  John  Brown, 
(iideon  Smith,  Conrad  Weist,  Jacob  Debold,  John  Hendricks,  Simon 
Drislock,  Jacob  Erb,  Thomas  Miller. 

Presiding  elders:    John   Neidig,  Samuel   Huber,  David   Baer. 

It  shall  be  the  diitv  of  every  member  of  this  conference  to  be 
present  during  the  annual  session,  and  if  necessarily  detained,  it 
shall  be  his  duty  to  state  to  conference  in  a  letter  the  reasons  for 
his  absence. 

A  roll  of  all  the  members  of  this  conference  shall  be  kept,  their 
names  called  at  every  session,  and  their  characters  induired  into. 

Received  last  year  for  support  of  the  preachers,  $771.24.  Salary 
of  married  preachers,  .$160;  single  preachers,  $80. 

Resolved  that  John  Hildt  in  the  name  of  this  conference  shall 
give  authority  to  Christian  Newcomer,  our  senior  bishop,  and  sign 
the  same  in  our  behalf,  by  which  Bro.  Newcomer  can  ask  from  the 
executors  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  our  deceased  sister, 
Elizabeth  Snyder,  the  sum  of  $1,000  given  by  her  to  the  conferences 
of  the  United  States  in  Christ  and  give  a  receipt  for  it. 

Licensed:   John  Hoffman. 

Voted   that   Christian   Traub   be   received   again    among   us. 

August  4  next  shall  be  a  day  of  thanksgiving  and  prayer  in  all 
the  appointments  of  this  conference. 

1827 

Conference  at  the  house  of  Bro.  Kunge,  Springfield,  Cu;nber- 
land  Co.,  Pa.,  April  3. 

C.  Newcomer  and  H.  Kumler,  bishops;  Jacob  Erb,  secretary. 

Present:  John  Hildt,  Christian  Hershey,  John  Crider,  Jacob 
Lehman,  Samuel  Huber,  David  Baer,  Simon  Drislock,  Thomas  Mil- 
ler, Valentine  Hiskey,  Jacob  Erb,  John  Brown,  Henry  Burtner, 
David  Heck,  John  Crack,  Lorenz  Estalin,  John  Fry,  James  Sutton, 
William  Brown,  John  Hendricks,  John  Neidig,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  Con- 
rad Weist,  Christian  Shopp,  Jacob  Debold,  John  Snyder,  Peter 
Schwartz,  James  Newcomer,  Jacob  Wenger,  George  Guething, 
James  Snyder,  Jonah  Houk,  Michael  Baer — 34. 

Continued  on  trial:  Christian  Shopp,  James  Snyder,  Jacob 
Debold,  Jonah  Houk,  John  Fry. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


239 


Ordained:  John  Hendricks,  Simon  Drislock.  Lorenz  Esterlin, 
Abraham  Hershey,  John  Zahn,  John  Crack. 

Died:    Abraham  Meyer,  October  28,  1820,  aged  09. 

Itinerants  for  the  coming  year:  John  Snyder,  George  Guething, 
William  Brown,  Thomas  Miller,  John  Hendricks,  John  Zahn,  John 
Crack,  David  Heck,  Conrad  Weist,  Jacob  Erb,  James  Talton,  Chris- 
tian Traub,  Gideon  Smith. 

Presiding  elders:    John  Snyder,  George  Guething. 

Paid  in  for  support  of  itinerants,  $803.16.  Married  preachers 
received  $160  each;  unmarried  ones,  $80. 

William  Brown  paid  over  to  the  conference  $300,  a  part  of  $1,000 
be(iueathed  by  Bro.  David  Snyder  to  the  conferences  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ. 

Treasurer  of  benevolent   society   reported  $49.60   in   his   hands. 
Voted  that  John  Hildt  be  given  $12.40  of  this  sum  to  pay  off  a  debt 
"    made  by  one  of  our  poor  traveling  preachers,  and  for  which  three 
of  our  brethren  have  gone  security. 

A  collection  taken  for  the  support  of  the  preachers  in  the  West- 
ern states. 

Licensed  to  preach:   John  Eckstein,  John  Hugel,  George  Hiskey. 

Licensed  to  exhort:   John  Gilbert,  Peter  Reick,  John  Pfeifer. 

Appointments:  David  Heck,  Juniata;  Gideon  Smith,  Lancaster; 
John  Crack,  York;  John  Zahn  and  John  Eckstein,  Hagerstown; 
John  Hendricks  and  Thomas  Miller,  Virgend  (?)  circuit;  Christian 
Traub,  Huntingdon;  Jacob  Erb,  New  York  mission;  William  Brown, 
Baltimore. 

Resolved,  that  we,  the  members  of  this  annual  conference,  do 
not  approve  that  any  of  our  preachers  or  members  belong  to  the 
order  of  Freemasonry  and  that  in  future  every  preacher  and  every 
member  who  is  connected  with  this  order  or  shall  join  it  shall 
lose  his  membership  in  our  church. 

1828 

Conference  at  the  union  church  belonging  to  the  Brethren  and 
Reformed  congregations  in  Middletown  valley,  Washington  Co., 
Md.,  April  1. 

C.  Newcomer,  H.  Kumler,  bishops;  J.  Erb,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  Erb,  Henry  Burtner,  William  Brown,  John 
Hendricks,  John  Hildt,  John  Snyder,  Samuel  Huber,  David  Heck, 
Daniel  Pfeifer,  John  Crack,  Simon  Drislock,  John  Zahn,  John 
Neidig,  John  Hafford,  Thomas  Miller,  William  Rhinehart,  James 
Sutton,  James  Wirters,  James  Newman,  John  Eckstein,  Frederick 
Gilbert,  Jacob  Debold,  Ezekiel  Boring,  James  Snyder,  George 
Pallas  (?),  Abraham  Huber,  John  Cloffer— 30. 

Licensed  to  preach:  Moses  Lawson,  William  Schott,  Henry 
Huber,  George  Gilbert,  Frederick  Gilbert,  Joseph  Berger,  Richard 


:40 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Laken,  William  Kinnear,  John   Dehof,  James  Fulton,  John   Smith, 

Licensed  to  exhort:  Peter  Whitesel,  Charles  Boehm,  George 
Gilerich   (?),  James  Ewig,  Samuel  Allebaugh. 

Remained  on  triid:   John  Hafford,  John  Clofl'er,  Abraham  Huher. 

Ordained:  Thomas  Miler,  William  Rhinehart,  George  Patterson, 
Ezekiel  Boring,  James  Snyder. 

Died:    Christian  Ludwig,  Philip  Ziegler. 

Conference  was  divided  into  the  following  districts:  Vergennes 
(?),  Hagerstown,  Carlisle,  Huntingdon.  Lancaster.  From  each 
district  two  elders  shall  be  elected  delegates  to  the  General 
Conference. 

Collected  for  support  of  traveling  preachers,  $877.80,  which, 
divided,  gives  to  each  married  man  sl38.()3,  and  to  each  single  one, 
^69.34. 

Appointments: 

Presiding  elders:    John   Snyder,   William   Brown. 

Lancaster  circuit:    Ezekiel   Boring,   Frederick   Gilbert. 

Baltimore:    John  Neidig. 

Carlisle:   William  Schott. 

■:    John  Oack. 

Huntingdon:    John   Hendricks. 

Hagerstown:    John  Zahn. 

Vergennes   (?):    Thomas  Miller,  John  Eckstein. 

Susquehanna:   Jacob  Erb. 

Lebanon:    Simon  Drislock. 

1829 

Conference  at  Guetliing  meeting  house,  Antietam  Cr.,  Wash- 
ington Co.,  Md.,  April  7. 

C.  Newcomer,  H.  Kumler,  bishops;  William  Brown,  Jacob  Erb, 
secretaries. 

Present:  John  Snyder,  (ieorge  Guething,  David  Baer,  John 
Neidig,  Sanmel  Huber,  Jacob  Erb,  William  Rhinehart,  Ezekiel  Bor- 
ing, John  Crack,  James  Snyder,  Henry  Burtner,  John  Hendricks, 
Thomas  Miller,  John  Rider,  Jacob  Dehof,  John  Zahn,  Jacob  Wen- 
ger,  Frederick  Gilbert,  John  Fry,  Christian  Shopp,  David  Baer, 
John  Clotfer,  John  Hoffman,  John  Eckstein,  James  Newman,  Wil- 
liam Schott,  James  Ewig — 27. 

Richard  Schekels  expelled  for  bad  conduct. 

Licensed  to  preach:  John  Dorcas,  Peter  Herrman,  Daniel  Sen- 
seny.  Christian  Growling,  James  Ewig,  James  Newman,  Henry 
Higgens,  Noah  Woodyard,  William  Knott,  David  Winters. 

Licensed  to  exhort:  Jacob  Haas,  Jacob  Perry,  Martin  Haman. 
George  (iuething,  John  Dummer,  Jacob  Gerg  (?). 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


241 


I 


Ordained:  Christian  Shopp,  John  Cloffer,  John  Halford,  John 
Eckstein,  John  Fry,  John  Hoffman,  WMlliam  Schott. 

Itinerants  for  coming  year:  John  Snyder,  William  Rliinehart, 
W^illiam  Brown,  John  Neidig,  Ezekiel  Boring,  John  Hendricks, 
Frederick  (Albert,  Thomas  Miller,  John  Crack,  John  Dorcas,  Wil- 
liam Schott,  John  Eckstein,  James  Snyder,  Noah  Woodford,  Daniel 
Senseny,  William  Knott,  James  Ewig,  John  Zahn. 

John  Snyder,  Christian  Shopp,  William  Brown  a  connnittee  to 
examine  the  accounts  of  S.  Drislock  respecting  certain  collections 
made  by  him  and  to  see  that  the  money  is  expended  according  to 

description. 

Samuel  Huber  and  David  Baer  a  committee  to  meet  David  Long 
and  others  and  exhort  them  to  do  better  or  suffer  the  consequences. 

Next  conference  to  be  held  at  the  meeting  house  near  Shopp's 
Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  beginning  third  Monday  in  March,  and  that 
a  great  meeting  be  held  at  the  same  place  the  Saturday  and  Sunday 

previous. 

Almost  no  charge  brought  against  anyone.  Much  testimony 
given  of  the  work  of  grace  in  the  hearts  of  the  members.  The 
experience  of  Jacob  Haas  surpassed  anything  ever  brought  before 
this  conference. 

1830 

Conference   convened    at    Shopp's   meeting   house,    Cumberland 

Co.,  Pa.,  March  22. 

Henry  Kumler,  bishop;  George  Guething,  chairman;  John  Eck- 
stein, German   secretary;  William  Bhinehart,  English  secretary. 

Present:  John  Snyder,  George  Guething,  David  Baer,  William 
Rhinehart,  William  Brown,  Peter  Schwartz,  John  Hoffman,  Valen- 
tine Hiskey,  Ezekiel  Boring,  John  Crack,  James  Snyder,  Daniel 
Pfeifer,  John  Hendricks,  Thomas  Miller,  James  Newman,  John 
Zahn,  Jacob  Erb,  Christian  Shopp,  Simon  Drislock,  John  Eckstein, 
George  Hiskey,  John  Dumer,  William  Schott,  John  Fry,  James 
Ewig,  David  Winters,  William  Knott,  John  Dorcas,  Charles  Boehm, 
Moses,  Law^son,  John  Dehof,  John  Smith,  George  Liberick  (?), 
Christian  Smith,  John  Hugel,  WMlliam  Kinnear,  David  Long,  Peter 
Wetzel,  Cieorge  Hoffman,  John  Hafford,  John  Cloffer,  Abraham 
Hershey,  James  Rupp,  John  Haney,  Peter  Harman,  Frederick  Gil- 
bert, Henry  W'elcher — 49. 

Addressing  seats  granted  to  John  Winebrenner  and  John  Rebo 
(?)    and   accepted  by   them. 

The  names  of  the  following  absent  members  were  called  and 
inquiry  made  with  regard  to  their  character:  James  Sutton, 
Samuel  Huber,  John  Crider,  Christian  Traub,  Abraham  Huber, 
Thomas  Huston,  Abraham  Herner,  Henry  Burtner,  Herman  Ow, 
Peter    Herman,    Abraham   Hershey,   Jacob    Dehof,    Jacob    Debold, 


242 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


David    Heck,    William    Abels,   John    Rider,    Conrad    Weist,    George 

Pullani— 18. 

Ordained:  John  Smith,  George  Hiskey,  Moses  Lawson,  Fred- 
erick Gilbert,  John  Hazel,  John  Dehof. 

Died:    Christian  Newcomer,  Christian  Grosh. 

Licensed  to  preach:  Herman  Houk,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  George 
Hotrman,  Henry  Sowy  (?),  Charles  Boehm,  John  Potts,  John  Haney, 

Peter  Whitzel. 

Itinerants  for  the  year:  John  Zahn,  Ezekiel  Boring,  Noah  Wood- 
yard,  John  Crack,  David  Winters,  James  Newman,  John  Smith, 
Moses  Lawson,  John  Dorcas,  William  Kin  near,  John  Haney,  Charles 
Boehm,  James  Snyder,  Thomas  Miller,  John  Hendricks,  William 
Schott,  Andrew  Beard,  Daniel  Denvie. 

Jacob  Erb  and  Simon  Drislock  asked  to  bring  their  comi)laints 
before  the  conference.  Nothing  being  found  to  justify  any  action, 
the  charges  were  dismissed. 

Bro.  Drislock  gave  satisfaction  in  regard  to  the  difliculties  of 
last  year. 

In  future  Hagerstown  (Conference  shall  have  the  old  protocol 
and  Bro.  Hansby  shall  procure  a  new  book.  Bro.  Kumler  gave 
William  Brown  two  dollars  for  this  purpose.  He  shall  procure  a 
book  and  transcribe  from  the  old  to  the  new  all  proceedings  of 
importance. 

1831 

Conference  at  Mill  Creek,  Shenandoah  Co.,  Va.,  April  27. 

Henry  Kumler,  bishop;  \V.  R.  Rhinehart,  secretary;  George 
Geeting,  chairman. 

F^resent:  W.  R.  Rhinehart,  Henry  Burtner,  John  Krack,  George 
Paterson,  Jacob  Erb,  George  Geeting,  John  Zahn,  W.  Kinnear,  Peter 
Wetzel,  William  Miller,  Jacob  Houk,  George  HofTman,  Noah  Wood- 
yard,  John  Haney,  Henry  Higgens,  Jacob  Haas,  Peter  Harman, 
William  Knott— 18. 

Absent:  Jacob  Dayhoof,  John  HafTord,  John  CloITer,  Michael 
Thomas,  Thomas  Miller,  John  Eckstein,  Harmon  Houk,  Lawrence 
Sibert,  John  Hendricks,  (Conrad  Weist — 10. 

John  Ruebush  and  Jonathan  Shenley  appointed  trustees  to  build 
a  house  on  the  Hamilton  circuit,  furnishing  it  with  all  necessary 
furniture  for  the  acconnnodation   of  a  married  preacher. 

The  bishop  paid  in  .'i^34.61, — the  full  sixth  part  of  the  money 
coming  from  the  benevolent  society;  also  the  money  from  Hide's 
estate  willed  to  the  conferences  of  the  United  Brethren  in  (Christ. 

Licensed:  Jacob  Glossbrenner,  Jacob  Haas,  Frederick  Hisey, 
William  Miller. 

Voted  that  license  be  taken  away  from  L.  Sibert  because  of  con- 
duct unbecoming  a  minister. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


213 


Voted  that  Jacob  Bell,  exhorter,  be  expelled. 

Minutes  of  the  (Conference  ordered  to  be  published. 

Motion  by  W.  R.  Rhinehart  that  the  vending  and  distilling  of 
ardent  spirits  be  entirely  expunged  from  the  oflicial  body  belonging 
to  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.     Carried. 

Conference  agreed  that  Conrad  Weist  should  quit  selling  licjuor 
and  preach  more  than  he  has  done;  if  not,  his  license  to  be  de- 
manded and  he  be  a  member  of  the  church  no  longer. 

Voted  that  the  circuit  preachers  return  only  the  overplus  of 
the  money  over  and  above  what  the  Discipline  allows, — to  be 
divided  among  such  preachers  as  may  have  failed  in  getting  their 
full  amount. 

Ordained:  Peter  Harman,  Noah  Woodyard,  Henry  Higgins,  Wil- 
liam Kinnear. 

Appointsments: 

Hagerstown  circuit:    Jacob  Glossbrenner,  W.  R.  Rhinehart. 

Mechanicstown :    John   Miller,  (ieorge   (ieeting. 

Staunton  and  Woodstock  circuits:  John  Zahn,  Noah  Woodyard, 
John  Haney,  Jacob  Houk. 

Note: — These  are  the  lirst  minutes  written  in  English. 

1832 

Conference  at   Hagerstown,  Md.,  April  25. 

Henry  Kumler,  bishop;  W.  R.  Rhinehart,  secretary. 

Present:  W.  R.  Rhinehart,  Henry  Burtner,  John  Zahn,  John 
ClofFer,  John  Hafford,  John  Eckstein,  Peter  Harman,  Jacob  Day- 
hoof,  Conrad  Weist,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  John  Dorcas,  William  Miller, 
Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  Noah  Woodyard,  William  Knotts,  John 
Haney,  Henry  Naybecker,  Charles  Boehm,  Peter  Wetzel — 19. 

The  brethren  from  Pennsylvania  Conference  and  those  belong- 
ing to  other  churches  were  admitted  to  addressing  seats. 

Licensed:    Joseph  M,  Hershey,  George  Rimel. 

Ordained:  John  Dorcas,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  John  Haney,  Wil- 
liam Knott,  (Charles  Boehm,  Peter  Wetzel. 

Died:    Henry  Higgins. 

Absent:  George  Patterson,  Jacob  Houk,  Harmon  Houk,  Jacob 
Haas,  Frederick  Hisey,  Michael  Thomas,  George  Hoffman. 

Conference  divided  into  two  districts,  Maryland  and  Virginia, 
each  to  elect  two  delegates  to  represent  them  in  the  next  (jienerai 
(Conference. 

Of  the  money  to  the  conferences  of  the  German  United  Breth- 
ren in  (Christ  it  was  agreed  that  Bishop  Kumler  should  give  Valen- 


244 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


tine  Hiskcy  "as  much  as  seemeth  good  to  him." 

Voted  that  an  English  hymn  book  be  published.  \V.  H.  Fihine- 
hart  and  .John  Zahn  a  conmiittee  to  examine  the  selection  before  its 
publication. 

On  nomination  by  the  bishop,  George  Patterson  was  chosen 
presiding  elder  for  Virginia,  W.  R.  Rhinehart  and  Henry  Burtner 
for  the  Hagerstown  circuit;  each  of  the  latter  to  serve  six  months. 

Appointments : 

Woodstock  circuit:    George  Patterson,  .lohn  Haney. 

Staunton  circuit:    J.  J.  (ilossbrenner,  J.  M.  Hershey. 

Hagerstown  circuit:  W.  R,  Rhinehart,  H.  Burtner,  .John  Dorcas, 
Peter  Wetzel. 

1833 

Conference  convened  at  Pleasant  Valley,  Washington  Co.,  Md., 
May  17. 

Henry  Kunder,  bishop;  George  Geeting,  chairman;  W.  R.  Rhine- 
hart, secretary. 

Present:  Henry  Burtner,  ,Tohn  Dorcas,  Peter  Weitzel,  .John 
Hafrord,  John  Clotrer,  .John  Haney,  George  Patterson,  Peter  Har- 
man,  .John  Zahn,  .John  Eckstein,  George  Rimel,  Conrad  Weist, 
Jacob  Rhinehart,  William  Knott,  Henry  Xebecker,  Jacob  Gloss- 
brenner,  Joseph  M.  Hershey,  Harmon  Houk.  Jacob  Houk,  George 
Hotfman,  Sanuiel  Allebaugh. 

Absent:     Michael    Thomas,    Jacob    Dayhoof,    Noah    Woodyard, 

Frederick    Hisey;   William    Knott   came   "the    last   dav   or  eleventh 
hour." 

Admitted  to  addressing  seats:  William  Brown.  Jacob  Erb,  James 
Newman,   George  Hussey,   Samuel   Allenbaugh. 

Ordained:    J.  J.  Cdossbrenner,  J.  Houk,  George  Hulfman. 

Licensed:    W.  R.  Coursey,  George  A.  Shuey. 

Presiding  elders:    William  Brown,  John  Haney. 

Of  the  interest  on  the  Snyder  donation,  voted  .S15  to  be  given 
the  bishop  to  defray  his  traveling  expenses,  the  rest  $(10.86)  to 
John  Zahn. 

Appointments: 

Hagerstown  district:    William  Brown,  P.  E. 

Hagerstown  circuit:   John  Dorcas,  W.  R.  Coursey. 

Staunton   district:    John   Haney,  P.  E. 

Staunton  circuit:    J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  George  Rimel. 

Woodstock  circuit:   P.  Wetzel,  William  Knott. 

South  Branch  circuit:   J.  M.  Hershey. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


245 


1834 

Conference  at  Jennings  Branch  meeting  house  ((^hui'chvillc)^ 
Va.,  April  21. 

William  Brown,  bishop;  Henry  Baulus,  chairman:  W.  P». 
Coursey,  secretary. 

Present:  W.  R.  Rhineiiart,  George  Geeting,  John  Dorcas,  .loliii 
('lotl'er,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  Samuel  Allenbaugh.  George  Patterson. 
John  Haney,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  .lacob  Houk.  Harmon  Houk.  Peter 
Whitesel,  William  Knott,  George  HofVman.  George  Shuey,  Joseph 
M.  Hershey,  George  Rimel,  Frederick  Hisey,  Noah   Woody ard — 19. 

Transferred:    Peter  Harmon  to  Pennsylvania  Confei'ence. 

Died:     Michael  Tiiomas,  Jacob  Dayhoof. 

George  E.  Deneal  admitted  to  advisorx    seat. 

Uicensed:  Jacob  Baer,  Jacob  Bachtel,  Francis  Aciiard;  David 
Jackson  was  licensed  to  preach  until  the  next  conference  by  the 
presiding  elder. 

Ordained:     Harmon  Houk,  Samuel  Allenbaugii. 

Presiding  elders:  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  Virginia  district;  H.  Burt- 
ner, Maryland  district. 

The  resolution  introduced  by  W.  R.  Rhinehart  for  the  publica- 
tion of  a  religious  newspaper  was  adoi)te(l. 

Noah  Woodyard  expelled. 

Samuel  Allenbaugh  and  G.  E.  Deneal  were  each  donated  .^o. 

To  the  preachers  deficient   on    their  sjdary,  .^7.22  donated. 

Api)ointments: 

Hagerstown  circuit:    J.  Hane\,  W.  1^.  (Coursey. 

Frederick  circuit:    J.  Dorcas,  J.  Bachtel. 

Staunton  circuit:    G.  Rimel,  S.  Allenbaugh. 

Woodstock  circuit:    P.  Whitesel,  W.  Knott. 

South  Branch:    J.  M.  Hershey,  J.  Baei'. 

Winchester  mission:    G.  E.  Deneal. 

18.3.') 

(Conference  at  Hickle's  schoolhouse,  Shenandoah  Co.,  Va., 
March  18. 

William  Brown,  bishoi);  Henry  Burtner,  chairman;  W.  R. 
Coursey,  secretary. 

Present:  George  Patterson,  Samuel  Allenbaugh,  Joseph  M. 
Hershey,  George  A.  (ieeting,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  John  Haney,  William 
Knott,  (]onrad  Weist,  George  B.  Rimel,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  George 
E.  Deneal,  Jacob  Eckstein,  George  A.  Shuey,  Peter  Whitesel,  John 


246 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Krack,  William  R.  Coursey,  George  HofTinan,  J.  Raer,  Frederick 
Hisey,  Francis  Eckard,  Jacob  Bachtel,  Jacob  C.  Houk,  John 
Huft'ard— 23. 

Absent:  George  Geeting,  John  Dorcas,  John  Eckstein,  John 
€h)trer,  John  H afford,  (Conrad  Weist — (5. 

Voted  that  only  the  licensed  preachers  be  present  at  the  ex- 
jiniinations  into  the  character  of  preachers. 

Ordained:  George  Rimel,  Frederick  Hisey,  William  R.  Coursey. 
Joseph  M.  Hershey,  George  E.  Deneal,  George  A.  Shuey. 

Samuel  Fiinkhouser  from  the  Pennsylvania  Conference  ad- 
mitted to  an  advisory  seat. 

Licensed:  Adam  Bovey,  Jonathan  Tobey,  Jacob  iMeiser,  David 
Jackson,  Martin  L.  Fries,  David  Spessard. 

The  presiding  elder  empowered  to  ask  for  the  license  of  Conrad 
Weist. 

A  charge  against  Bro.  Dorcas  referred  to  fianey,  Deneal  and 
Jacob  Rhinehart,  who  report  he  should  give  up  his  license,  or  they 
be  given  power  to  silence  him  if  he  refuse  to  give  complete 
satisfaction. 

Voted  that  John  Krach  of  Pennsylvania  Conference  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  Virginia  Conference. 

The  preachers  are  retiuested  to  make  an  effort  to  raise  money 
to  help  meet  the  expenses  of  the  new  meeting  house  in  Mechanics- 
town,  Md.,  after  they  have  met  their  own  demands  on  a  similar 
subject. 

W.  Knott  to  receive  .$8  of  the  benevolent  fund,  J.  M.  Hershey, 

^'54.08. 

Appointments: 

Frederick  circuit:    John  Krach,  W.  R.  Coursey. 

Hagerstown  circuit:    G.  Rimel,  J.  Baer. 

Staunton   circuit:    Jacob   Houk,   P.   Whitesel. 

Woodstock  circuit:    S.  Allenbaugh,  J  .Tobey. 

Winchester:   J.  Haney,  J.  Menser. 

South  Branch:   J.  Bachtel. 

Page  mission:   G  .E.  Deneal,  M.  L.  Fries. 

Maryland  Districts:  H.  Burtner,  P.  E.;  Hagerstown  circuit,  G.  B. 
Rimel,  J.  Baer.  Frederick  circuit,  J.  Krack,  W.  R.  Coursey. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


247 


1836 

Conference  at  Geeting  meeting  house,  Md.,  March  19. 
Samuel  Hiestand,  bishop;  W.  R.  Coursey,  secretary. 

Licensed  to  preach:    Moses  Michael. 

Mission  opened  in  Jackson  county  on  Ohio  River. 

J.  J.  (ilossbrenner,  P.  E.  reported  his  salary  -^110. 

Appointments: 

Staunton  District:  J.  J.  (ilossbrenner,  P.  E.;  Staunton  circuit. 
P.  Whitesel,  D.  S.  Spessard;  Woodstock  circuit,  S.  Allenbaugh; 
South  Branch  circuit,  J.  Bachtel;  Winchester  circuit,  J.  C.  Houk; 
Rockland  mission.  G.  A.  Shuey;  Jackson   mission,  M.  Michael. 

Maryland  District:  J.  Rhinehart,  P.  E.;  Hagerstown  circuit.  G. 
B.  Rimel,  M.  L.  Fries;  Frederick  circuit:   W.  Knott,  J.  Tobey. 

Conference  at  Bethel  schoolhouse,  near  the  present  village  of 
Chewsville,  Md.,  March  20. 

Samuel  Hiestand,  bishop;  G.  A.  Shuey,  secretary. 

Members:  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  John  Clopper,  Moses  Michael,  Wil- 
liam Knott,  Jacob  C.  Houck,  David  S.  Spessard,  Charles  W.  Zahn, 
Jacob  Rhinehart,  John  Haffard,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  George  B.  Rimel, 
Jacob  Bachtel,  Jonathan  Tobey,  George  A.  (Meeting,  William  R. 
Coursey,  Jacob  Baer,  Sanuiel  Allenbaugh,  George  Patterson,  Fred- 
erick A.  Roper — 19. 

Licensed  to  preach:    F.  A.  Roper,  C.  W.  Zahn. 

Ordained:    J.  Bachtel,  J.  Baer. 

Died:    P.  Whitesel,  M.  L.  Fries. 

J.  Bachtel  located  on  account  of  ill  health  on  the  Frederick  and 
Hagerstown  circuits  and  to  be  supported  by  them. 

Appointments: 

Staunton  District:  J.  J.  (ilossbrenner,  P.  E.;  Winchester  cir- 
cuit, C.  W.  Zahn;  Woodstock  circuit,  J.  C.  Houck;  Staunton  circuit. 
W.  R.  Coursey,  G.  A.  Shuey  (6  months);  South  Branch  circuit,  S. 
Allenbaugh;   Pendleton  mission,  F.  A.  Roper;  Jackson   mission,  M. 

Michael. 

Frederick  circuit,  G.  B.  Rimel;  Hagerstown  circuit,  W.  Knott. 

1838 

Conference  at  Shiloh  church  near  Christian  Shuey's,  Augusta 
Co.,  Va.,  March  21. 

Sanuiel  Hiestand,  bishop;  W.  R.  Coursey,  secretary. 

Present:   Jacob  Rhinehart,  David  S.  Spessard,  George  HoffuKui, 


24<S 


UNITED    BRETHREX 


Charles  \V.  Zahn,  Francis  Eckard,  Jacob  Markwoofl,  (leorge  B. 
Biniel,  J.  J.  (ilossbrenner,  A(him  I.  Bovey.  W.  W.  McCahe,  William 
Edwards,  William  Knott,  Jacob  C  Houck,  Jacob  Bachtel,  (leorge 
A.  Shuey,  John  Richards — 16. 

Absent:  (ieorge  A.  Meeting,  Henry  Burtner,  Frederick  Hisey, 
Frederick  A.  Roper,  John  Hatfard,  Jacob  Baer,  Harmon  Houck, 
John  Clopper.  Samuel  Allenbaugh.  Moses  Michael — 10. 

Licensed  to  preach:    W.  Edwards,  J.  Richards,  J.  Bachtel. 

Ordained:    A.  I.  Boye,  I).  S.  Spessard,  W.  V.  McCabe,  F.  Eckard. 

Expelled:    F.  A.  Proper. 

Presiding  elders:    W.  R.  Coursey,  J.  Bachtel. 

Appointments:  Hagerstown,  \V.  Knott,  J.  Markwood;  Frederick, 
G.  B.  Rimel;  Winchester,  I).  S.  Spessard;  Staunton.  W.  V.  McCalie, 
AV.  Edwards;  Woodstock,  J.  C.  Houck;  South  Branch,  C.  W.  Zahn; 
Shiloh   mission,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner. 

1839 

Conference  at  Jersusalem  church,  Frederick  Co.,  Md.,  Febru- 
ary 25. 

Jacob  Erb,  bishop;  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  Rhinehart,  Samuel  Allenbaugh,  Adam  1.  Bovey, 
AVilliam  Knott,  David  S.  Spessard,  John  Clopper,  Jacob  C.  Houck, 
William  Edwards,  (ieorge  A.  Geeting,  Jacob  Markwood,  John 
Richards,  Jacob  Baer,  George  B.  Rimel,  William  R.  Coursey,  Charles 
W.  Zahn,  George  A.  Shuey,  John   Haffard — 17. 

Absent:  George  Patterson,  Francis  Eckard,  Harmon  Houck, 
George  Ploffman,  Frederick  Hisey,  Moses  Michael,  William  V.  Mc- 
Cabe. .lacob  Rachtel — 9. 

Licensed  to  preach:  Samuel  Zehrung,  Henry  Jones,  John  Rue- 
bush,  ,]\\,  R.  (i.  H.  Levering. 

Home  missionary  society  organized. 

Presiding  elder:   W.  R.  Coursey,  J.  Bachtel. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  (ieorge  Gilbert,  i\.  A.  Shuey;  Hagers- 
town, C.  W.  Zahn,  J.  Markwood;  Winchester,  I).  S.  Spessard;  Wood- 
stock, W.  Edwards;  Staunton,  J.  B.  Houck;  South  Branch,  J. 
Richards;  Shiloh  mission,  J.  J.  (dossbrenner;  Pendleton  mission, 
S.  Allenbaugh;  Jackson  mission,  H.  Jones. 

1840 

Conference  at  Hickle's  schoolhouse,  Shenandoah  Co.,  Va., 
February  3. 

Jacob  Erb,  bishop;  J.  J.  (dossbrenner,  secretary. 

Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  Jacob  Bachtel,  (k-orge  B.  Rimel, 
Frederick  Hisey,  Jacob  B.  Houck,  Charles  W.  Zahn,  Jacob  Rhine- 
hart,    Samuel    Zahrung,    John    Richards,    Henry     Burtner,    Samuel 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


249 


Allenbaugh,  George  Gilbert,  George  A.  Shuey,  John  Rucbush,  David 
Spessard — 16. 

Absent:  Harmon  Houck,  Jacob  Baer,  R.  E.  H.  Levering,  Frank- 
lin Eckard,  Moses  Michael,  John  Clopper,  (George  A.  (feting,  Henry 
Jones,  Adam  I.  Bovey — 9. 

Licensed  to  preach:    Benjamin   Stickley,  John  Pope. 

Ordained:    C.  W.  Zahn. 

J*resi(iing  elders:    W.  R.  Coursey,  J.  Baclitel. 

Apijointments:  Frederick,  J.  J.  (dossbrenner,  G.  A.  Shuey; 
Hagerstown,  G.  Gilbert,  J.  Ruebush;  Winchester,  C.  W.  Zahn;  Rock- 
bridge, I).  S.  Spessard;  Staunton,  .lacob  B.  Houck;  Woodstock,  .1. 
Markwood;  Pendleton  mission,  S.  Allenbaugh;  Jackson  mission, 
H.  Jones. 

J.  Rhinehart  transferred  to  Pennsylvania  Conference. 


1841 

Conference  at  Rocky  Springs,  Frederick  Co.,  Md.,  February  22. 
No  minutes  are  known  to  the  compiler. 

1842 

Conference  at  Spring  Hill,  Augusta  Co..  Va.,  April  4. 

Jacob  Erb,  bishop;  Jacob  Markwood,  secretary. 

Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  (U'orge  B.  Rimel,  (ieorge  A.  Shuey, 
Sanmel  Zehrung,  William  Knott,  Jacob  Baclitel.  Jacob  B.  Houck, 
Charles  W.  Zahn,  John  Poi)e,  David  S.  Spessard.  (ieorge  Patterson, 
John    Ruebush,   George   Hotrman--13. 

Absent:  John  Richards,  Benjamin  Stickley.  Moses  Michael, 
Jonathan  Tobey,  George  Gilbert,  Joim  llalVard.  Frederick  Hisey, 
William  Edwards,  Adam  1.  Bovey,  Sanmel  Allenbaugh.  John  Clop- 
per, Franklin  Eckard,  John   Haney,  Jacob  Baer— 14. 

Licensed  to  preach:    Emanuel   Witter.  Jacob  C.  Spitler. 

Withdrew   irregularly:    S.   Allenbaugh. 

Silenced:    F.   Eckard. 

Ordained:    J.    Ruebusii,    S.   Zehrung. 

Died:    G.  A.  (ieeting,  aged  (U. 

Presiding  elders:    J.  J.   (dossbrenner   (Md.),  J.  B.  Houck    (Va.>. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  J.  Bachtel,  J.  Markwood;  Hagerstown, 
D.  S.  Spessard;  Winchester,  J.  Richards;  Staunton,  W.  R.  Coursey, 
C.  W.  Zahn;  Woodstock,  G.  B.  Rimel;  South  Branch,  J.  Ruebush; 
Pendleton  mission,  J.  Pope. 

1843 

Conference  at   Rohrersville,  Md.,   February   14. 

Jacob  Erb,  bishop;  D.  S.  Spessard,  secretary. 

Present:    J.  J.  (dossbrenner,  John   Clopper,   Benjamin   Stickley, 


250 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Joseph  S.  Grim,  Jonathan  Tobey,  Jacob  Rachtel,  John  Riiebush» 
John  Pope,  John  Richards,  A(huii  I.  Bovey,  (ieorge  B.  Riniel,  Jacob 
Baer,  Jacob  Markwood,  Henry  Burtner,  John  Haney — 15. 

Absent:  William  R.  Coiirsey,  William  Knott,  (leorj^e  Patterson, 
(ieorge  A.  Shiiey,  Charles  W.  Zahn,  Sanuiel  Zehriing,  George  Hoff- 
man, Frederick  Hisey,  William  Edwards,  Jacob  C.  Spitler.  Moses 
Michael,  D.  Funkhouser — 12. 

Advisory  members:  John  Riissel,  G.  Miller,  Jacob  Rhinehart. 

Licensed  to  preach:  James  E.  Bowersox,  John  W.  Fulkerson, 
Andrew  J.  (Hoffman,  William  Liitz. 

Received  from  Pennsylvania  (Conference:  J.  Russell,  David 
Engle. 

.Ordained:    J.  Pope,  B.  Stickley. 

Died:   J.  HiitTer,  aged  42. 

Presiding  elders:    J.  Markwood   (Md.),  J.  B.  Hoiick   (Va.). 

Appointments:  Frederick,  D.  S.  Spessard;  Hagerstown,  J. 
Bachtel,  J.  Richards;  Winchester,  J.  Tobey;  Rockbridge,  J.  J.  Gloss- 
brenner;  Staunton,  J.  Baer,  J.  E.  Bowersox;  South  Branch,  J.  Rue- 
bush;  Pendleton  mission,  J.  W.  Fulkerson. 

1844 

Conference  at  Jennings  Branch   ( Church ville),  Va.,  February  6. 

Jacob  Erb,  bishop;  Jacob  Markwood,  secretary. 

Present:    Henry  Burtner,  John  Richards,  Jacob  B.  Houck.  Jacob 

C.  Spitler,  William  B.  Coursey,  George   B.   Rimel,   Adam   I.   Bovey, 

D.  Funkhouser,  Jacob  Bachtel,  Jacob  Baer,  John  Ruebush,  Joseph 
S.  Grim,  William  Edwards,  George  A.  Shuey,  Benjamin  Stickley, 
Emanuel  Witter,  J.  J.  (ilossbrenner,  Jacob  Markwood,  James  E. 
Bowersox,  John  Pope,  William  Knott,  George  HolTman,  Charles 
W.  Zahn,  John  W.  Fulkerson — 24. 

Absent:  David  S.  Spessard,  John  Haney,  William  Lutz,  Jonathan 
Tobey,  Frederick  Hisey,  Andrew  J.  (CofTman,  John  Clopper,  Samuel 
Zehrung,  David  Engle — 9. 

Admitted:  John  Gibbons,  J.  W.  Miles,  John  (i.  Steward,  David 
Ferrell,  Joseph  Funkhouser. 

Restored  to  good  standing:    F.  Eckard. 

Died:    G.  Patterson. 

A  Book  Concern  for  the  Church  at  the  present  time  was  de- 
cidedly opposed. 

Presiding  elders:   J.  Markwood,  J.  B.  Houck. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  I).  S.  Spessard;  Hagerstown,  J.  Bach- 
tel, J.  Richards;  Winchester,  J.  Ruebush;  Woodstock,  W  .R.  (Coursey; 
Staunton,  J.  J.  (ilossbrenner,  J.  (iibbons;  Rockbridge,  J.  E.  Bower- 
sox; Pendleton  mission,  B.  Stickley;  South  Branch,  J.  W.  Fulke.- 
son,  J.  W.  Miles. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


251 


1845 


Conference  at  Jerusalem  ciiurch,  Middletown  Valley.  Md., 
February  3. 

Jacob  Erb,  Henry  Kumler,  bishops;  .lames  E.  Bowersox.  sec- 
retary. 

Present:  Flenry  Buiiner,  (Charles  W.  Zahn,  D.  Funkhouser.  John 
(iibbons,  John  Haney,  .lac(^b  Mai'kwood.  William  R.  (Coursey.  J.  W. 
Miles,  Jonathan  Tobey,  Jacob  Bachtel,  Joim  Richards,  Josej)!!  S. 
Grim,  Sanuiel  Zehrung.  Jacob  B.  Houck,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  Emanuel 
Witter.  Jacob  C.  Spitler,  John  Clopper,  William  Knott.  David  S. 
Spessard,  John  W.  Fulkerson,  Jose[)h  Funkhouser.  Jacob  J.  (iloss- 
brenner, John   Ruebush,  Benjamin   Stickley,  John   G.  Steward — 2(i. 

Absent:  Franklin  Eckard,  Frederick  Hisey,  (ieorge  Hofl'man, 
Andrew  J.  (Coflinan,  William  Edwards,  John  Pope,  Jacob  Baer, 
George   A.   Shuey,   George   B.   Rimel,   William   Lutz — 10. 

Licensed  to  j)reach :    Richard  Xihiser. 

Ordained:    J.  C.  Spitler,  E.  Witter. 

License  demanded  of  F.  Eckard  because  of  disobedience  and 
neglect  of  duty. 

Next  (ieneral  (Conference  to  be  petitioned  that  the  boundaries 
of  this  conference  be  not  diminished. 

Presiding  elders:    J.  >Larkwood,  W.  R.  (Coursey. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  J.  Ruebush,  J.  (iibbons;  Hagerstown, 
J.  Bachtel,  R.  Nihiser;  Winchester,  D.  S.  Spessard;  Woodstock, 
J.  Richai'ds;  Staunton,  J.  J.  (ilossbrenner,  J.  W.  Miles;  Rockbridge, 
J.  E.  Bowersox;  Franklin,  B.  Stickley;  South  Branch.  J.  W.  Fulk- 
erson. 

184G 

Conference  at  Otterbein  chai)el,  Mill  Creek,  Shenandoali  Co., 
Va.,  February  6. 

J.  J.  (ilossbrenner,  bishop;  J.  E.  Bowersox,  secretary. 

Present:  Henry  Burtner,  Jacob  Markwood,  John  W.  Fulkerson, 
William  Edwards,  Jjicob  (C.  Spitler,  David  S.  Spessard,  Sanuiel 
Zehrung,  Jacol)  B.  Houck,  Andrew  J.  (Cofl'man,  William  R.  (Coursey, 
John  Ruebush,  James  W.  Miles,  William  Lutz,  James  E.  Bowersox, 
Jacob  Baer,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  Benjamin  Stickley,  D.  Funkhouser, 
George  A.  Shuey,  (ieorge  B.  Rimel,  John  Pope,  Joseph  Funkhouser, 
Jacob  Bachtel,  John  (iibbons,  (ieorge  Hofl'man,  Frederick  Hisey — 2(5. 

Al)sent:  Adam  1.  Bovey.  Jonathan  Tobey,  John  Markwood, 
Richard  Nihiser,  John  (Clopper,  David  Engle,  Emanuel  Witter,  John 
(i.  Steward,  John  Haney,  Charles  W.  Zahn,  Joseph  S.  (irim,  Wil- 
liam Knott— 13. 

Received  on  transfer:  Jacob  Rhinehart  (from  Pennsylvania 
Conference),  John  Markwood   (Scioto  (Conference). 


252 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Ordained:  J.  \V.  Fulkerson,  A.  J.  Coffman,  W.  Lutz,  J.  E.  Rower- 
sox,  J.  Gibbons,  J.  W.  Miles. 

Names  of  C.  W.  Zahn,  J.  Richards  dropped  from  roll,  they  hav- 
ing irregularly  withdrawn  under  charges. 

H.  Rurtner   re-elected   treasurer  of  the   benevolent   fund. 

"Resolved,  that  this  annual  conference  express  by  vote,  its  wish 
that  the  bishop  itinerate  through  his  district  as  nuich  as  possible, 
and  we  will  do  all  we  can  to  support  him  according  to  Discipline 
allowance." 

Presiding  elders:    W.  R.  Coursey,  J.  Markwood. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  G.  B.  Pdmel;  Hagerstown,  J.  E.  Rower- 
sox;  Winchester,  W.  Edwards;  Woodstock,  J.  Rachtel;  Staunton, 
J.  FUiebush,  R.  Nihiser;  Rockbridge,  J.  W.  Miles;  South  Branch, 
J.  Gibbons;  Franklin,  W.  Knott;  Lewis  mission,  R.  Stickley;  Win- 
chester mission,  J.  W.  Fulkerson. 

1847 

Conference  at  Mount  Hebron  (Geeting  meeting  house),  Md., 
February  18. 

William  Hanby,  bishop;  Jacob  Markwood,  secretary. 

Present:  Henry  Rurtner,  James  E.  Rowersox,  George  R.  Rimel, 
Renjamin  Stickley,  Jacol)  Rhinehart,  John  Haney,  John  W.  F'ulker- 
son,  Jacob  Markwood,  William  W.  Goursey,  John  Ruebush,  John 
Clopper,  Adam  I.  Rovey,  William  Knott,  John  G.  Steward,  Joseph 
Funkhouser,  William  Edwards,  Jacob  Rachtel,  Jacob  Raer,  Joseph 
S.  Grim,  Jonathan  Tobey,  James  W.  Miles,  David  S.  Spessard, 
Emanuel  Witter— 23. 

Absent:  George  A.  Shucy,  Jacob  R.  Houck,  Andrew  J.  CofTman, 
Frederick  Hisey,  George  Hotrman,  D.  Funkhouser,  John  Markwood, 
John  Pope,  Jacob  C.  Spitler,  WilHam  Lutz,  Samuel  Zehrung,  David 
Engle— 12. 

David  Edwards,  editor  of  the  Telescope,  present. 

Ordained:    J.  Funkhouser,  J.  G.  Stewart,  J.  S.  Grim. 

Died:    R.  Nihiser,  J.  Gibbons. 

Presiding  elders:    J.  Markwood,  W.  R.  Coursey. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  G.  R.  Rimel,  J.  W.  Fulkerson;  Hagers- 
town, J.  E.  Rowersox,  J.  W.  Miles;  Winchester,  J.  R.  Formelut  (  ?)  — 
by  P.  E.;  Woodstock,  J.  Rachtel;  Staunton,  J.  Ruebush;  Rockbridge, 
D.  S.  Spessard;  Franklin,  W.  Knott;  North  Franklin,  to  be  supplied; 
South  Branch,  W.  Edwards;  Lewis  mission,  B.  Stickley. 

1848 

Conference   at   Church ville,   Va.,   January   27. 

John   FUissell,  bishop;  Jacob  Markwood,  secretary. 

Present:   Henry  Burtner,  James  E.  Bowersox,  Jacob  Baer,  George 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


253 


HofTman,  (George  R.  Rimel,  John  Haney,  Samuel  Zehrung,  Andrew 
J.  Colfman,  Wilham  R.  Coursey,  John  Ruebush,  John  W.  Fulker- 
son, Jacob  Markwood,  George  A.  Shuey,  John  Pope,  Jacob  G. 
Spitler,  Jacob  Rachtel,  James  W.  Miles.  Renjamin  Stickley,  Jacob 
Rhinehart,  William  Edwards,  Jacob  R.  Houck,  William   Knoft— 22. 

A!>sent:  Jonathan  Tobey,  .lohn  G.  Steward,  David  S.  Spessard, 
Moses  Michael,  Adam  1.  Rovey,  William  Lutz.  Frederick  Hisey, 
Joseph  S.  Grim,  Joseph  Funkhouser,  Emanuel  Witter,  David  Engle, 
John    Markwood — 12. 

Licensed  to  preach:   George  W.  Station.  George  0.  Little. 

Presiding  elders:    J.   Rhinehart.   J.   Markwood. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  W.  R.  Coursey,  G.  W.  Station;  Hagers- 
town, J.  W.  Fulkerson,  J.  W.  Miles:  Winchester,  G.  O.  Little;  Wood- 
stock, J.  Rachtel;  Staunton,  W.  Knott;  Rockbridge,  G.  R.  Rimel; 
Franklin.  R.  Stickley;  South  Rranch,  J.  Ruebush;  Lewis  Mission, 
J.  Haney;  Jackson   Mission  to  be  supplied. 

1849 

Conference  at  Spessard's  schoolhouse  (RetheFs  near  Hagers- 
town), Md.,  January  25. 

John  Russel,  J.  J.  (dossbienner,  bishops;  J.  Markwood,  secretary. 

Present:  William  IL  Coursey,  Jacob  Rachtel,  Joseph  S.  Grim, 
Henry  Rurtner,  Jacob  Raer,  (George  A.  Shuey,  David  S.  Spessard, 
Adam  1.  Rovey,  Jonathan  Tobey,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  George  R.  Rimel, 
John  Haney,  James  W.  Miks,  Renjamin  Stickley,  George  W.  Stat- 
ion, Jacob  Markwood,  Emanuel  Witter,  John  Ruebush,  John  W. 
Fulkerson,  Andrew  J.  CofTman,  Jacob  C.  Spitler.  Joseph  Funk- 
houser— 22. 

Absent:  William  Knott,  Frederick  Hisey,  Jolin  Cl()pi)er,  Moses 
Michael,  William  Edwards,  George  Hoffman,  James  E.  Rowersox, 
John  G.  Steward,  John  Pope,  Sanuiel  Zehrung,  William  Lutz,  David 
Engle,  George  0.  Little,  John  Markwood— 14. 

Licensed  to  preiicli :    Theodore  F.  Rrashear. 

Visiting  ministers:     Felombe,  Rathfon,  Crider,  of  I'ennsylvania. 

"Resolved,  that  each  circuit  preacher  in  cliarge,  strictly  dis- 
charge his  whole  duty  as  explained  in  the  constitution  of  tlie  Home 
Missionary  Society,  on  pain  of  paying  out  of  his  own  funds  at  the 
next  conference  the  sum  whicli  may  be  thought  proper  by  said 
conference." 

Presiding. elders:    J.  Markwood   (Md.),  G.  R.  Rimel   (Va.). 

Appointments:  Frederick,  W.  R.  Coursey,  and  one  to  be  sup- 
plied; Hagerstown,  J.  W.  Fulkerson,  and  one  to  be  supplied;  Win- 
chester, J.  W.  Miles;  Weaverton  Mission,  to  be  supplied  by  P.  E.; 
Staunton,  J.  Rachtel;  Rockbridge,  D.  S.  Spessard;  Woodstock,  J. 
Ruebush;  South  Rranch,  T.  F.  Rrashear;  Franklin,  R.  Stickley; 
Buckhannon,  J.  Haney;  Jackson,  G.  W.  Station. 


254 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


1850 

Conference  M  Mount  Hebron,  Shenandoah  Co.,  Va.,  March  7. 

Jacob  Erb,  bishop:  J.  C.  Spitler,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  Erb,  Henry  Biirtner,  Jacob  Bachtel,  George  B. 
Bimel,  Jacob  C.  Spitler,  James  W.  Miles,  John  Haney,  George  W. 
Station,  John  W.  Fiilkerson,  Joseph  Funkhouser,  Andrew  J.  ColT- 
man,  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  William  R.  Coursey,  Jacob  Markwood, 
Jolin  Buebush  ,David  S.  Spessard,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  Adam  I.  Bovey, 
Theodore  F.  Brashear;  Benjamin  Stickley,  Frederick  Hisey,  Wil- 
liam Lutz — 23. 

Absent:  Joseph  S.  Grim,  George  A.  Sluiey,  John  G.  Steward, 
William  Edwards,  John  Clopper,  John  Pope,  Daniel  Engel,  George 
Hoffman,  Jonathan  Tobey,  Emanuel  Witter,  Jacob  Baer,  James 
E.    Bowersox,    John    Markwood,    William    Knott,    Moses    Michael, 

George  O.  Little— 1(). 

H.  B.  Winton  received  from  Sandusky  Conference. 

Licentiates:    Isaac   Statton,  Abel   Randall,   John    Perry. 

A  proposition  form  the  Alleghany  Conference  to  cooperate  in 
building  a  school  at  Mount  Pleasant,  Pa.,  was  voted  down,  but 
there  was  a  declaration  in   favor  of  a  school   in   its  own   boundary 

the  present  year. 

Members,  2,810,  an  increase  of  594;  108  "Telescopes;"  paid  to 
two  presiding  elders,  s44L()8;  paid  by  the  11  charges  as  salaries  of 
pastors,  $1,935.28. 

Two    charges    have    preaching    every    3    weeks,    seven    charges 

every  4  weeks. 

1851 

Conference  at  Bethlehem  church,  Augusta  Co.,  Va.,  March   7. 

Jacob  Erb,  bishop;  J.  C.  Spitler,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  Erb,  Henry  Burtner,  George  B.  Bimel,  Jacob 
Markwood,  David  S.  Spessard,  John  Haney,  John  Buebush,  George 
W.  Statton,  George  A.  Shuey,  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  James  W. 
Miles,  (ieorge  Hoflman,  Andrew  J.  Cofl'man.  FL  B.  Winton,  James 
E.  Bowersox,  Joseph  Funkhouser,  Theodore  F.  Brashear.  Isaac 
Statton,  John  W.  Fulkerson,  Jacob  Baer,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  John 
Perry,   Benjamin   Stickley,   William   Knott,   Jacob   C.   Spitler— 2(). 

Absent:  William  B.  Coursey,  Joseph  S.  Grim,  John  (i.  Steward^ 
John  Pope,  Jonathan  Tobey,  Moses  Michael,  Frederick  Hisey,  Abel 
Randall,  Emanuel  Witter,  William  Edwards,  John  Clopper,  Daniel 
Engel,  John  Markwood,  Jacob  B.  Houck,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  William 

Lutz— 16. 

Licentiates:    William   T.   Lower,   L.   W.   Mathews. 

Virginia  District  divided  into  eastern  and  western  sections,  the 
foruK-r  containing  Woodstock  and  Staunton  circuits  and  Highland 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


255 


mission,   and   the   latter,   South   Branch,   Franklin,   Buchanan,   and 
Jackson  circuits. 

A  mission  i)rojected  in  Nicholas. 

The  bishop  received  $02.98. 

Directed  that  the  (k)nference  book  containing  the  minutes  from 
1837  to  1850,  together  with  other  documents,  be  given  into  the 
care  of  Henry  Burtner,  who  is  not  to  permit  any  person  to  take 
the  book  from  his  house  without  an  order  from  Conference  signed 
by  the  presiding  bishop  and  countersigned  by   the  secretary. 

iVesiding  elders:  J.  Markwood  (Md.),  J.  Bachtel  (E.  Va.),  J. 
W.  Miles  (  W.  Va.). 

Appointments:  Hagerstown,  W.  B.  Coursey,  J.  Perry;  Frederick, 
G.  W.  Statton,  L.  W.  Mathews;  Winchester,  J.  Haney,  1.  Statton; 
Weaverton  mission  to  be  supplied  by  P.  E.;  Bockbridge,  H.  B.  Win- 
ton; Staunton,  I).  S.  Spessard;  Woodstock,  J.  Buebush;  Highland 
mission,  J.  W.  Fulkerson;  South  Branch,  B.  Stickley;  Franklin, 
G.  B.  Rimel;  Buchanan,  T.  F.  Brashear,  Jackson,  W.  T.  Lower; 
Wood  county  mission  to  be  supi)lied  by  the  P.  E. 

Members,  2,9,^0;  Telescope,  218;  Sunday  Schools,  21;  missions, 
$112;  salaries  of  presiding  elders, — Markwood,  s2()L  Miles,  .^147. 


1852 

Conference  at   Rohrersville,  Md.,  February  27. 

Jacob  Erb,  bishop;  Jacob  Markwood,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  Henry  Burtner,  William  \\. 
Coursey,  Jacob  Bachtel,  John  Buebush,  James  W.  Miles,  Theodore 
F.  Brashear,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  David  S.  Spessard,  William  T. 
Lower,  John  Perry,  Jacob  Erb,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  Jacob  B.  Houck, 
Jacob  Markwood,  Jonathan  Tol)ey,  Benjamin  Stickley,  John  Haney, 
H.  B.  Winton,  Joseph  S.  (irim,  L.  W.  Mathews,  Emanuel  Witter— 22. 

Absent:  George  B.  Rimel,  William  Knott,  John  (Stopper,  James 
E.  Bowersox,  John  W.  Fulkerson,  Moses  Michael,  Jacob  Markwood, 
Jacob  Baer,  George  A.  Shuey  ,  Frederick  Hisey,  George  W.  Statton, 
George  Hoffman,  John  G.  Steward,  John  Pope,  Abel  Randall,  Wil- 
liam Lutz,  Jacob  C.  Si)itler,  Andrew  J  .Coffman,  Joseph  Funkhouser, 
Daniel  Engel— 20. 

"No  deaths,  no  ordinations,  no  transfers,  no  suspensions,  no 
expulsions." 

Resolutions  of  loyalty  to  the  church  law  on  slavery  were  passed, 
the  institution  being  denounced  as  criminal. 

J.  B.  Resler,  agent  from  Mount  Pleasant  College. 

J.  Markwood,  J.  Bachtel,  E.  Witter,  S.  Deaner,  S.  Rohrer,  W. 
Shuey  appointed  trustees  to  cooperate  with  Alleghany  (Conference 
in  establishing  Mount  Pleasant  College. 


250 


UNITED    BRETHHEN 


Presiding  elders:  J.  Markwood  (Md.)  J.  Bachtel  (E.  Va.),  J.  W. 
Miles  (W.  Va.). 

Appointments:  Frederick,  G.  W.  Statton,  W.  T.  Lower;  Hagers- 
town,  H.  B.  Winton,  D.  S.  Spessard;  Winchester,  L.  W.  Mathews, 
J.  K.  Statton;  Woodstock,  W.  R.  Coursey;  Staunton,  J.  Ruehush; 
Rockbridge,  J.  W.  Fulkerson;  Highland  mission,  T.  F.  Brashear; 
Franklin,  G.  B.  Rimel;  South  Branch,  J.  Haney;  Buchannon,  B. 
Stickley;  Jackson,  J.  Perry;  Wood  mission,  E.  McGlaughlin. 

1853 

Conference  at  Mount  Hebron,  Hardy  Co.,  Va. . 

J.  Erb.  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishops;  J.  Markwood,  secretary. 

Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  Henry  Burtner,  Jacob  BachteU 
Jacob  Markwood,  George  B.  Rimel,  John  Ruebush,  James  W.  Miles, 
Benjamin  Stickley,  W.  B.  Winton,  Joseph  Funkhouser,  Moses 
Michael,  John  Perry,  John  Pope,  Abel  Randall,  John  G.  Steward, 
George  W.  Statton,  Isaac  Statton,  L.  W.  Lower,  L.  W.  Mathews — 19. 

Absent:  Jonathan  Tobey,  Jacob  Rhinehart,  Emanuel  Witter, 
Frederick  Hisey,  William  Knott,  Jacob  C.  Spitler,  Jacob  Baer,  John 
Markwood,  E.  McGlaughlin,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  Jacob  B.  Houck,  Joseph 
S.  Grim,  William  Lutz,  George  Hoffman,  George  A.  Shuey,  James 
E.  Bowersox,  Daniel  Engel,  David  S.  Spessard — 18. 

Advisory  member:    J.  B.  Resler. 

Presiding  elders  made  agents  of  Mount  Pleasant  College  and 
directed  to  secure   subscriptions   and   scholarships. 

Next  General  Conference  to  be  asked  "to  obtain  a  board  of 
trustees  for  our  printing  establishment,  now  at  Circleville,  O., 
selected  out  of  several  conferences.'* 

Licentiates:    J.  F.  Statton,  Levi  Hess,  John  Phillips. 

William  Edwards  transferred  to  Iowa  Conference. 

Ordained:  M.  Michael,  I.  K.  Statton,  W.  T.  Lower,  L.  W. 
Mathews,  J.  Perry,  A.  Randall. 

Sunday  addresses  in  German  and  English  by  Bishops  Erb  and 
Glossbrenner. 

Presiding  elders:    J.  Markwood,  W.  T.  Lower,  J.  Ruebush. 

Changes  in  name:  Staunton  circuit  to  Rockingham;  Rockbridge 
to  Churchville.  Winchester  divided,  the  northern  part  being  called 
Bath  circuit. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  J.  Bachtel,  I.  K.  Statton;  Hagerstown, 
H.  B.  Winton,  J.  Perry;  Winchester,  G.  W.  Statton;  Bath,  L.  W. 
Mathews;  Woodstock  ,W.  R.  Coursey,  A.  Graham;  Rockingham, 
T.  F.  Brashear;  Churchville,  J.  W.  Fulkerson;  Highland,  J.  Haney; 
Franklin,  J.  W.  Miles;  South  Branch,  G.  B.  Rimel;  Buckhannon, 
B.  Stickley;  Jackson,  I.  K.  Statton;  Wood  mission,  J.  Phillips;  West 
Columbia,  . 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


257 


1854 

Conference  at  New  Jerusalem  church,  Edinburg,  Va.,  February  9. 

Moses  Michael,  secretary. 

Advisory  members:    J.  C.  Bright,  H.  Kumler,  Jr. 

Hagerstown  circuit  made  a  station;  Woodstock  and  Rocking- 
ham thus  divided  into  three  circuits, — all  north  of  Mill  Creek  to 
constitute  Woodstock  circuit,  all  north  of  Dayton  and  Whitesel's 
to  constitute  Lacey  Springs  circuit,  the  remainder  to  be  called 
Rockingham. 

Buckhannon  divided  into  two  circuits,  and  a  mission  opened  in 
Nicholas  county. 

South  River  mission  organized,  and  to  include  the  Forge  and 
Mowery's   schoolhouse. 

Licentiates:    Henry  Tallhelm,  Samuel  Martin. 

Note  :t— These  minutes  unsigned  and  evidently  incomplete. 


1855 

Conference  at  Myersville,  Md.,  January  29. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  M.  Michael,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  Bachtel,  John  Ruebush,  Benjamin  Stickley,  Theo- 
dore F.  Brashear,  W.  T.  Lower,  J.  Henry,  George  W.  Statton,  John 
W.  Perry,  Henry  Tallhelm,  Jonathan  Tobey,  James  W.  Miles,  Jacob 
B.  Houck,  Jacob  Markwood,  John  W.  Fulkerson,  H.  B.  Winton, 
George  B.  Rimel,  L.  W.  Mathews,  Isaac  K.  Statton,  John  Phillips, 
Levi  Hess,  Joseph  S.  Grim,  Samuel  Martin — 22. 

Absent:  George  A.  Shuey,  James  E.  Bowersox,  John  Pope,  Daniel 
Engel,  J.  F.  Statton,  Henry  Burtner,  Emanuel  Witter,  Abel  Randall, 
Jacob  C.  Spitler — 9. 

Visiting  minister:   John  Dickson  of  Pennsylvania. 

Licentiates:  William  M.  H.  Cain,  J.  P.  White,  Zebedee  Warner, 
Isaiah  Baltzel,  Benjamin  Denton. 

John   F.   Statton   transferred   to   any  Western   Conference. 

Died:    J.  Rhinehart,  J.  Baer. 

Ordained:    L.  Hess,  J.  Phillips. 

Resolution  adopted  favorable  to  Mount  Pleasant  College. 

J.  Markwood  appointed  to  solicit  with  the  conference  bounds 
subscriptions  to  erect  a  church  at  Frederick,  Md. 

Hartford  City  made  a  station. 

Parkersburg  mission  projected. 

Resolutions  in  favor  of  missionary  work,  as  were  passed  in 
previous  sessions. 

Conference    book    transferred    from    Henry    Burtner    to    Jacob 
Bachtel.    J.  C  Spitler  and  W.  R.  Coursey  a  committee  to  examine  it. 
Presiding  elders:   J.  Bachtel,  G.  W.  Statton,  W.  R.  Coursey. 
Appointments:     Frederick,    W.    T.    Lower;     Myersville,     T.     F. 


258 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Brashear;  Hagerstown,  J.  W.  Miles,  A.  Y.  Graham;  Winchester, 
L.  Hess;  Bath,  H.  Tallhehn;  Ghurchville,  I.  K.  Station;  Rocking- 
ham, G.  B.  Rimel;  Lacey  Springs,  J.  Ruebush;  Woodstock,  J.  Haney; 
South  Branch,  L.  W.  Mathews;  Franklin,  B.  Stickley;  Highland, 
J.  Phillips;  Waynesboro  mission,  J.  B.  Houck;  West  Columbia  sta- 
tion, Z.  Warner;  Hartford,  W.  M.  Cain;  Mason,  M.  Michael;  Glen- 
ville,  Samuel  Martin;  Buckhannon,  I.  Baltzel;  Middle  Island  to 
be  supplied. 

1856 

Conference  at  Otterbein  Chapel,  Shenandoah  Co.,  Va.,  March  15. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  J.  Markwood,  secretary. 

Present:  John  Haney,  Levi  Hess,  James  W.  Miles,  John  Phillips, 
Abel  Randall,  Henry  Tallhelm,  William  Lutz,  Joseph  Funkhouser, 
Isaiah  Baltzell,  Zebedee  Warner,  Jacob  B.  Houcli,  George  Hoffman, 
John  Pope,  William  R.  Coursey,  George  B.  Rimel,  Frederick  Hisey, 
Jacob  Bachtel,  Jacob  Markwood,  Benjamin  Stickley,  John  Ruebush, 
H.  B.  Winton,  W.  T.  Lower,  Theodore  F.  Brashear,  L.  W.  Mathews, 
George  W.  Station— 25. 

Absent:  Henry  Burtner,  George  A.  Shuey,  John  W.  Fulkerson, 
W.  M.  K.  Cain,  Isaac  K.  Station,  Jonathan  Tobey,  Emanuel  Witter, 
William  Knott,  John  W.  Perry,  James  E.  Bowersox,  Moses  Michael, 
J.  White,  Joseph  S.  Grim,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  Samuel  Martin,  Daniel 
Engel— 16. 

J.  W.  Fulkerson  transferred  to  Iowa  Conference. 

Died:    J.  C.  Spitler,  Benjamin  Denton. 

Licentiates:  C.  B.  Hammack,  G.  W.  Albaugh,  Jacob  A.  Bovey, 
Eli  Martin  (Baptist),  H.  R.  Davis,  William  Yerkey,  William  James. 

Ordained:    H.  Tallhelm,  I.  Bachtel,  Z.  Warner. 

Presiding  elders:    J.  Bachtel    (Md.),  J.  Markwood   (E.  Va.),  M. 

Michael  (W.  Va.). 

Appointments:  Frederick,  W.  T.  Lower;  Myersville,  1.  K.  Stat- 
ion; Hagerstown,  W.  R.  Coursey,  C.  B.  Hammack;  Otterbein  mis- 
sion, H.  B.  Winton;  Bath,  J.  Haney;  Woodstock,  L.  W.  Mathews, 
H.  Tallhelm;  Lacey  Springs,  T.  F.  Brashear;  Rockingham,  G.  B. 
Rimel;  Church ville.  G.  W.  Statton,  1.  Baltzel;  Highland,  J.  A.  Bovey 
(by  P.  E.),  Franklin,  B.  Stickley;  South  Branch,  J.  Phillips;  Brock's 
Gap  mission,  J.  Pope;  Tennessee  mission,  J.  Ruebush;  West  Colum- 
bia station,  Eli  Martin;  Union  station,  W.  M.  K.  Cain;  Putnam,  H.  R. 
Davis;  Middle  Island,  L.  Hess;  Glenville,  W.  Yerkey;  Lewis,  S. 
Martin;  Taylor,  J.  P.  White;  California  mission,  W.  Miles. 

1857 

Conference  at  Mount  Hebron  church,  Washington  Co.,  Md., 
March  5. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  J.  Markwood,  secretary. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


259 


Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  John  Haney, 
Benjamin  Stickley,  George  B.  Rimel,  Jonathan  Tobey,  Jacob  Bach- 
tel, John  Ruebush,  George  W.  Statton,  L.  W.  Mathews,  H.  B.  Win- 
ton, Theodore  F.  Brashear,  W.  T.  Lower,  Joseph  Funkhouser, 
George  A.  Shuey,  Isaac  K.  Statton,  Joseph  S.  Grim,  John  W.  Perry, 
Isaiah  Baltzel,  Henry  Tallhelm,  C.  B.  Hammack,  John  Phillips, 
J.  P.  White,  Jacob  A.  Bovey,  James  W.  Miles,  G.  W.  Albaugh, 
Zebedee  Warner,  Levi  Hess — 28. 

Absent:  Frederick  Hisey,  Jacob  B.  Houck,  George  Hoft'man, 
Emanuel  Witter,  Abel  Randall,  Samuel  Martin,  E.  Martin,  Daniel 
Engel,  William  Lutz,  Moses  Michael,  John  Pope,  W.  Yerkey, 
H.  R.  Davis— 13. 

Licentiates:   J.  D.  Fried,  J.  W.  Xihizer,  J.  F.  Hott. 

Transferred:    W.  M.  K.  Cain,  M.  Michael. 

D.  H.  Keedy  received  from  Alleghany  Conference. 

Benevolent  Fund,  J?94().85. 

Presiding  elders:    W.  R.  Coursey  (Md.),  J.  Markwood  (E.  Va.), 

B.  Stickley  (W.  Va.). 

Appointments:  Frederick  and  Myersville,  I.  K.  Statton,  J.  Bovey; 
Hagerstown,  L.  W.  Mathews,  D.  H.  Keedy;  Hagerstown  station, 
W.  T.  Low^er;  Winchester,  I.  Baltzel;  Otterbein  station,  J.  Tobey; 
Alleghany  mission,  J.  Phillips;  Woodstock,  H.  Burtner;  Lacey 
Springs,  H.  Tallhelm;  Rockingham,  T.  :E.  Brashear;  Ghurchville, 
G.  W.  Statton,  C.  B.  Hammack;  Highland,  J.  W.  Howe  (by  P.  E.), 
Franklin,  J.  D.  Freed;  South  Branch,  G.  B.  Rimel;  Blue  Red  mission, 
to  be  supplied;  Tavlor,  Z.  Warner;  Lewis,  J.  W.  Miles:  Glenville, 
J.  W.  Nihizer;  Putnam,  J.  W.  Young  (by  P.  E.),  Middle  Island, 
J.  P.  White;  West  Columbia,  J.  Bachtel;  California  mission,  W. 
Miles;  Parkersburg  mission,  W.  James. 

1858 
Conference  at  Mount  Tabor  church,  Va.,  February  25. 
J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  J.  Markwood,  11.  B.  Winton,  secre- 

laries. 

Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  Isaac  K.  Statton,  George  W.  Stat- 
ton, Theodore  F.  Breshear,  W.  T.  Lower,  Isaiah  Baltzel,  L.  W. 
Mathews,  John  Ruebush,  Jacob  A.  Bovey,  Frederick  Hisey,  George 
B.  Rimel,  Joseph  Funkhouser,  William  Lutz,  Joseph  S.  Grnn,  Jacob 
F  Hott,'  George  Hollman,  Abel  Randall,  John  Pope,  Benjamin 
Stickley,'  Jacob  B.  Houck,  H.  B.  Winton,  J.  W.  Nihizer,  J.  D.  Freed, 
G.  W.  Albaugh— 24. 

Absent:  Adam  I.  Bovey,  George  A.  Shuey,  Jonathan  Tobey, 
J.  D.  Keedy,  C.  B.  Hammack,  James  E.  Bowersox,  Henry  Tallhelm, 

John  Phillips— 8.  „    K     V      •  -A 

The  name  of  J.  Phillips  dropped   from  roll,   he  havmg  joined 

another  conference. 


260 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


201 


J.  E.  Bowersox  transferred  to  Iowa  Conference. 
Licentiates:  George  \V.  Rexrode,  Jacob  Roderick,  John  W.  Howe, 
Joseph  Holcomb. 

Endorsement  of  X.  Altnian's  attempt  to  build  an  English-speak- 
ing church  in   Baltimore  and  promise  of  financial  help. 

The  union  of  Otterbein  University  and  Mount  Pleasant  College 
approved;  trustees  thereof:  J.  J.  Glossbrenner  (3  years),  J.  Mark- 
wood   (2  years),  H.  B.  Winton   (1  year). 

Ordained:    J.  A.  Bovey,  J.  W.  Nihizer. 

Appropriated  for  Tennessee  mission,  $100;  for  Hagerstown  mis- 
sion, $150. 

Appointments:  Hagerstown  mission  station,  L.  W.  Mathews, 
I.  Baltzel;  Frederick,  I.  K.  Station,  S.  Evers;  Otterbein  station,  D. 
H.  Keedy;  Winchester,  C.  B.  Hammack;  Woodstock,  H.  B.  Winton; 
Lacey  Springs,  J.  A.  Bovey;  Rockingham,  T.  F.  Brashear,  H.  Tall- 
helm;  Church ville,  G.  W.  Statton;  Franklin,  J.  D.  Fried;  Union, 
J.  W.  Nihizer;  Brock's  Gap,  J.  K.  Nelson  (by  P.  E.) ;  Claysville 
mission,  B.  Stickley;  Rockbridge  mission,  J.  W.  Howe;  Highland 
mission,  J.  Holcomb;  Tennessee,  J.  Ruebush. 

1859 

Conference  at  Rohcrsville,  Md.,  February  26. 
J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  J.  Markwood,  H.  B.  Winton,  secre- 
taries. 

Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  H.  B.  'Winton,  L.  W.  Mathews, 
Isaac  K.  Statton,  Jacob  A.  Bovey,  George  B.  Rimel,  Benjamin  Stick- 
ley,  Theodore  F.  Brashear,  W.  T.  Lower,  Joseph  Holcomb,  Joseph 
Funkhouser,  Henry  Tallhelm,  Jonathan  Tobey,  Joseph  S.  Grim, 
J.  W.  Nihizer,  (i.  W.  Albaugh,  C.  B.  Hammack,  Isaiah  Baltzel,  J.  D. 
Keedy,  Jacob  F.  Hott,  John  W.  Howe— 21. 

Absent:  George  W.  Statton,  George  Hoffman,  Frederick  Hisey, 
Abel  Randall,  J.  D.  Fried,  George  W.  Rexrode,  George  W.  Shuey, 
William  Lutz,  John  Ruebush,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  John  Pope,  Jacob 
Roderick — 12. 

Dr.  F.  S.  McNeil  received  from  Miami  Conference. 
A.  Randall  transferred  to  Iowa  Conference;  I.  Baltzel  to  Pennsyl- 
vania Conference. 

J.  B.  Houck  withdrew  to  join  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South;  died  as  a  preacher  therein  about  1884. 

Ordained:  C.  B.  Hammack,  J.  D.  Keedy,  J.  F.  Hott,  G.  W. 
Albaugh. 

Presiding  elders:  H.  B.  Winton  (Md.),  J.  Markwood  (Va.). 
Appointments:    Hagerstown  station,  W.  T.  Lower;  Hagerstown 
circuit,  I.  K.  Statton,  J.  Delpha;  Frederick,  L.  W.  Mathews,  W.  A 


ty 


Jackson;  Winchester,  C.  B.  Hammack;  Woodstock,  J.  A.  Bovey; 
Lacey  Springs,  H.  Tallhelm;  Rockingham,  G.  W.  Statton;  Church- 
ville,  T.  F.  Brashear,  S.  Evers;  Highland,  J.  W.  Howe;  Franklin. 
J.  D.  Fried;  Claysville  mission,  B.  Stickley. 

1800 

Conference  at  Church  ville,  Va.,  F'ebruary  23. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  J.  Markwood,  secretary. 

Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  John  Ruebush,  (ieorge  B.  RimcU 
(ieorge  W.  Statton,  Theodore  F.  Brashear,  Henry  Tallhelm,  .Io!in 
W.  Howe,  S.  Evers,  G.  W.  Allebaugh,  George  W.  Rexrode,  Benjamin 
Stickley,  George  A.  Shuey,  George  Hoifman,  H.  B.  Winton,  W.  T. 
Lower,  Joseph  Funkhouser,  C.  B.  Hannnack,  F.  S.  Fried,  J.  W, 
Nihizer,  Joseph  Holcomb— 22. 

Absent:  L.  W.  Matliews,  Joseph  S.  Grim,  William  Lutz.  .lohn 
Pope,  J.  Delpha,  J.  Hensley,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  Frederick  Hisey. 
Jonathan  Tobey,  Jacob  F.  Hott,  Jacob  Roderick— 10. 

J.  Hensley  transferred  to  Parkersburg  Conference. 

I.  Baltzell  returned  his  transfer  to  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

Died:    J.  A.  Bovey. 

Licentiate:  W.  A.  Jackson. 

Ordained:   J.  W.  Howe. 

Benevolent  Fund,  $436.21. 

Presiding  elders:    H.  B.  Winton   (Md.),  J.  Markwood   (Va.). 

Appointments:  Frederick,  L.  W.  Mathews,  T.  Bushong;  Hagers- 
town, I.  K.  Statton,  W.  A.  Jackson;  Hagerstown,  W.  T.  Lower; 
Winchester,  J.  D.  Fried;  Woodstock,  C.  B.  Hammack;  Lacey  Springs, 
H.  Tallhelm;  Rockingham,  G.  W.  Statton;  Church  ville,  T.  F.  Bras- 
hear; Highland  and  Franklin,  J.  W.  Howe,  C.  T.  Stearn;  Claysville 
mission,  B.  Stickley;  Augusta,  G.  W.  Rexrode. 

Missionary  appropriations:    $290. 

1861 

Conference  at  Hagerstown,  Md.,  January  24. 

J.   J.    Glossbrenner,   bishop;    J.   Markwood,    L.    W.    Mathews, 

secretaries. 

Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  Theodore  F.  Brashear,  Isaiah 
Baltzel,  Jonathan  Tobey,  W.  A.  Jackson,  G.  W.  Albaugh,  H.  B. 
Winton,  Isaac  K.  Statton,  Joseph  S.  Grim,  J.  D.  Keedy,  F.  S.  McNeil, 
George  W.  Statton,  Henry  Tallhelm,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  Jacob  F.  HotL 
Joseph  Holcomb,  Benjamin  Stickley,  W.  T.  Lower,  C.  B.  Hammack, 
John  W.  Howe,  J.  D.  Fried,  Joseph  Funkhouser— 22. 

Absent:  Adam  I.  Bovey,  John  Ruebush,  George  W.  Rexrode. 
George  B.  Rimel,  William  Lutz,  John  Pope,  George  A.  Shuey,  E. 
Evers,  Frederick  Hisey,  George  Hoffman,  J.  Delpha— 11. 


262 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Licentiates:   T.  Bushong,  J.  Harp. 

Ordained:    J.  M.  Roderick. 

In  treasury,  $443.71.  Ordered  paid  the  widow  of  J.  A.  Bovey, 
^100. 

Presiding  elder:   J.  Markwood. 

Appointments:  Hagerstown,  G.  W.  Statton;  Hagerstown  circuit, 
W.  R.  Coursey,  W.  T.  Lower;  Frederick,  L  Baltzell,  T.  Bushong; 
Woodstock,  T.  F.  Brashear;  Lacey  Springs,  L.  W.  Mathews  (re- 
signed,—supply  by  J.  W.  Howe) ;  Rockingham,  H.  Tallhelm;  Church- 
ville,  C.  B.  Hammack;  Highland,  A.  I.  Bovey;  Franklin,  J.  W.  Howe 
(resigned,— supplied  by  A.  M.  Myers);  Claysville,  J.  W.  Nihiser; 
Augusta,  W.  A.  Jackson,  A.  M.  Evers;  Alleghany  mission,  J.  M. 
Rodruck. 


1862 
Northern  Section 

Conference  met  at  Mount  Carmel  church,  Washington  Co.,  Md., 
February  2. 

J.  Markwood,  bishop;  J.  D.  Keedy,  secretary. 

Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  George  W.  Statton,  Jonathan 
Tobey,  J.  Harp,  H.  B.  Winton,  T.  S.  McNeil,  W.  T.  Lower,  Isaiah 
Baltzel,  Jacob  S.  Grim,  G.  W.  Albaugh,  W.  A.  Jackson,  T. 
Bushong — 12. 

Absent:    Isaac  K.  Statton,  J.  Delpha,  L.  W.  Mathews— 3. 

Transfers  given  to  H.  B.  Winton,  Isaiah  Baltzel,  Isaac  K.  Statton. 

Three  charges,  17  meeting  houses,  100  Telescopes,  957  members; 
salaries  and  presents  to  preachers,  $2,240. 

Presiding  elder:    W.  R.  Coursey. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  W.  T.  Lower;  Hagerstown  circuit, 
W.  R.  Coursey,  T.  Bushong,  Hagerstown  station,  G.  W.  Statton. 

1862 
Southern  Section 

Conference  at  Edinburg,  Va.,  February  14. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  C.  B.  Hammack,  secretary. 

Licentiates:  H.  A.  Bovey,  J.  W.  Hott,  J.  K.  Nelson,  C.  T.  Steam, 
A.  M.  Evers,  J.  M.  Cantor. 

Ordained:    G.  W.  Rexrode,  J.  D.  Fried,  J.  Holcomb. 

Presiding  elder:   T.  F.  Brashear. 

Appointments:  Churchville,  C.  B.  Hammack;  Augusta,  G.  W. 
Rexrode;  Lacey  Springs,  J.  W.  Howe,  G.  H.  Snapp;  Woodstock, 
G.  B.  Rimel;  South  Branch,  J.  D.  Fried;  Winchester,  J.  K.  Nelson; 
Franklin,  H.  A.  Bovey;  Highland,  C.  T.  Stearn;  Alleghany,  J.  M. 
Roderick;  Rockbridge,  A.  M.  Evers;  Rockingham,  H.  Tallhelm. 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


263 


1863 
Northern  Section 
Conference  at  Georgetown,  Frederick  Co.,  Md.,  February  20. 
J.  Markwood,  bishop;  J.  D.  Keedy,  secretary.  ^    „.     ai 

Present:  William  R.  Coursey,  George  W.  Statton,  G.  >>•  Al- 
baugh, J.  Harp,  J.  D.  Fried,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  W.  T.  Lower  Jonathan 
Tobey,  T.   S.  McNeil,  T.   Bushong,   J   .M.   Rodruck,   J.  ^^.   Hott,   J. 

Delpha— 14.  i    u    u  ♦♦    w 

Absent:    L.  W.  Mathews,  Benjamin  Stickley,  Jacob  V.  Hott,  N\ . 

A.  Jackson,  C.  T.  Stearn,  J.  K.  Nelson— 6. 

Licentiate:    J.  W.  Grim. 

Ordained:    T.  F.  Bushong. 

W  A  Jackson  transferred  to  Pennsylvania  Conference;  L.  V\. 
Mathews,  B.  Stickley,  C  .T.  Stearn  given  open  transfers  to  any 
Western  conference. 

Presiding  elder:    J.  Tobey. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  W.  T.  Lower,  J.  W.  Grim;  Hagers- 
town G.  W.  Statton  and  one  to  be  supplied;  Hagerstown  nnssion. 
H.  B.' Winton;  Winchester,  J.  K.  Nelson,  J.  W.  Hott;  South  Branch. 
J.  D.  Freid;  Alleghany,  J.  M.  Rodruck. 

1863 
Southern  Section 
Conference  at  Keezletown,  Va.,  February  27. 
J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  C.  B.  Hammack,  secretary. 
Licentiate:    J.  W.  Kiracofe. 

Ordained:    A.  M.  Evers.  ,    ,    „ 

Appropriation  of  $100  for  Benevolent  Fund  to  Mrs.  ,1.  A.  Bovey. 

1864 
Northern  Section 

Conference  at  Boonsboro,  Md.,  February  19. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  J.  Markwood,  bishops;  J.  D.  Keedy,  secretary. 

Present:  Jonathan  Tobey,  George  W.  Statton,  T.S  McNeil, 
J.  D.  Keedy,  T.  Bushing,  J.  Harp,  James  W.  Hott,  \\illiam  R. 
Coursey,  W.  T.  Lower,  J.  D.  Fried,  J.  M.  Rodruck,  G.  W.  Albaugh, 
Jacob  S.  Grim,  J.  K.  Nelson,  Jacob  F.  Hott,  J.  W.  Grim-16, 

Absent:   J.  W.  Nihiser,  J.  Delpha,  Adam  I.  Bovey— 3. 

The  widow  Bovey  granted  $72. 

Ordained:   J.  K.  Nelson,  J.  W.  Hott,  J.  Harp. 

An  increase  of  272  members. 

Appointments:  J.  Tobey,  P.  E.;  Hagerstown,  G.  W.  Statton,  J.  D. 
Fried;  Hagerstown  station,  C.  T.  Stearn;  Frederick,  W.  T.  Lower. 
J.  W.  Grim;  Winchester,  J.  K.  Nelson,  J.  W.  Hott;  Alleghany, 
J.  M.  Rodruck. 


264 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


1864 
Southern  Section 

Conference  at  Friedens  church,  Rockingham  Co.,  Va.,  March  11. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  C.  B.  Hammack,  secretary. 

Bishop  Glossbrenner  to  act  as  P.  E. 

Ordained:    H.  A.  Bovey,  J.  Canter,  J.  W.  Kiracofe. 

Licentiates:   W.  J.  Miller,  G.  H.  Snapp. 

A  prominent  feature  was  the  experience  meeting  Sunday  morn- 
ing the  13th. 

Appointments:  Lacey  Springs,  C.  B  .Hammack,  A.  M.  Evers; 
Rockingham,  J.  W.  Howe;  Church ville,  H.  A.  Bovey;  Woodstock, 
H.  Tallhelm;  Highland,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  J.  J.  Potter  (?);  Augusta, 
G.  W.  Rexrode. 

1865 

Northern  Section 

Conference  at  Myersville,  Md.,  February  17. 

J.  Markwood,  H.  Kumler,  bishops;  J.  D.  Keedy,  secretary. 

Present:  William  R.  Courscy,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  W.  T.  Lower, 
J.  D.  Rodruck,  Jacob  S.  Grim,  J.  K.  Nelson,  James  W.  Hott,  Jona- 
than Tobey,  George  W.  Station,  J.  D.  Fried,  J.  W.  Grim,  J.  Harp, 
Jacob  F.  Hott,  T.  S.  McNeil,  (;.  W.  Albaugh— 15. 

Absent:   J.  Nihiser,  J.  Delpha — 2. 

C.  T.  Stearn  received  from  Rock  River  Conference. 

Licentiates:    W.  O.  Grim,  P.  H.  Thomas. 

Ordained:  W.  0.  Grim  (?),  P.  H.  Thomas  (?). 

Presiding  elder:    G.  W.  Station. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  C.  T.  Stearn,  J.  W.  Grim;  Hagers- 
town,  G.  W.  Station,  J.  D.  Fried;  Hagerstown  station,  T.  W.  Lower; 
Winchester,  J.  K.  Nelson  and  one  to  be  supplied;  Martinsburg, 
J.  W.  Hott;  Alleghany,  J.  M.  Rodruck. 

1865 
Southern  Section 
Conference  at  Mount  Zion,  Augusta  Co.,  Va.,  March  7. 
J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  C.  B.  Hammack,  secretary. 
Collected  for  bishop  $500  in  Confederate  money,  supposed  to  be 
equivalent  to  $20  in  gold. 

Acting  presiding  elder:   J.  J.  Glossbrenner. 

Much  of  the  session  taken  up  in  reading  essays  and  discussing 
them. 

Appointments  appear  to  have  been  about  the  same  as  in  1864. 

1866 
Conference  at  Rohersville,  Md.,  February  8. 
J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  C.  B.  Hammack,  secretary. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


265 


Present:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  J.  K.  Nelson,  Dr.  J.  I.  McNeil, 
Jacob  Markwood,  J.  Harp,  James  W.  Hott,  Henry  Tallhelm,  J.  W. 
Grim,  J.  D.  Keedy,  W.  J.  Miller,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  C.  B.  Hammack, 
William  Lutz,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  J.  D.  Fried,  John  W.  Howe,  George 
Hoffman,  H.  A.  Bovey,  A.  M.  Evers,  Jacob  F.  Hott,  George  W.  Snapp, 
J.  M.  Rodruck,  Jonathan  Tobey,  J.  S.  Grim,  George  W.  Station, 
W.  T.  Lower,  C.  T.  Stearn,  George  W.  Albaugh— 30. 

Absent:  William  R.  Coursey,  P.  H.  Thomas,  J.  Cantor,  J. 
Holcomb,  George  A.  Shuey,  Joseph  Funkhouser,  George  B.  Rimel, 
J.  Delpha,  John  Pope — 9. 

Visiting  ministers:  S.  Lindsay  (agent  Otterbein  University), 
D.  Eberly,  J.  C.  Smith,  I.  Baltzel,  William  Evers,  D.  E.  Morris, 
Henry  Kumler. 

Licentiate:   J.  E.  Hott. 

Granted  transfers:    G.  B.  Rimel,  J.  M.  Cantor. 

J.  Funkhouser  withdrew  to  join  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South. 

A  resolution  to  raise  within  the  first  three  months  of  the  year 
the  share  of  the  debt  of  the  Book  Concern  apportioned  by  the 
General  Conference. 

Missionary  money  received,  $540.88. 

Benevolent  Fund,  $363.58. 

Resolutions  passed  sympathizing  with  Bishop  Markwood  in  his 
severe  illness,  and  endorsing  Otterbein  University  and  Cottage 
Hill  College  at  York,  Pa. 

1867 


Conference  at  Boonsboro,  Md.,  February  7. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  C.  B.  Hammack,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner.  W.  T.  Lower,  George  W.  Al- 
baugh, J.  K.  Nelson,  J.  Harp,  Henry  Tallhelm,  J.  D.  Keedy,  George 
W.  Rexrode,  W.  J.  Miller,  C.  B.  Hammack,  J.  D.  Fried,  George 
Hoffman,  A.  M.  Evers,  George  W.  Snapp,  Jonathan  Tobey,  J.  E. 
Hott,  J.  Delpha,  J.  L.  Grim,  George  W.  Station,  C.  T.  Stearn,  J.  W. 
Kiracofe,  Dr.  T.  S.  McNeil,  James  W.  Hott,  J.  W.  Grimm,  W.  O. 
Grimm,  P.  H.  Thomas,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  John  W. 
Howe,  H.  A.  Bovey,  Jacob  F.  Hott,  J.  M.  Rodruck,  J.  S.  Grimm, 
George  A.  Shuey,  George  W.  Howe,  S.  Scott — 36. 

Absent:  Jacob  Markwood,  J.  Holcomb,  William  R.  Coursey, 
William  Lutz,  John  Pope — 5. 

Visiting  ministers:  Z.  Warner,  J.  Perry,  L.  Hess,  W.  A.  Jackson, 
Dr.  Fetterhof,  Ex-Bishop  Russell. 

Licensed  to  preach:  George  W.  Howe,  J.  L.  Grimm,  Snowden 
Scott. 

Transferred  to  Rock  River  Conference:  W.  R.  Coursey,  J.  Tobey. 


266 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Presiding  elder:    G.  W.  Station. 

Died:   J.  Bachtel. 

Agreement  to  cooperate  with  other  conferences  in  procuring 
a  parsonage  in  Baltimore  for  the  bishop. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  J.  D.  Fried,  J.  Delpha;  Boonsboro, 
A.  M.  Evers,  J.  L.  Grimm;  Myersville,  C.  T.  Stearn;  Hagerstown, 
C.  B.  Hammack,  J.  E.  Hott;  Bath,  J.  K.  Nelson;  Alleghany,  J.  W. 
Nihiser;  South  Branch,  J.  M.  Rodruck;  Winchester,  P.  H.  Thomas; 
Woodstock,  J.  W.  Hott;  Lacey  Springs,  J.  W.  Howe,  Church ville, 
J.  W.  Kiracofe,  J.  W.  Grimm;  Highland,  G.  W.  Howe;  Martinsburg 
mission,  W.  T.  Lower;  Pleasant  Grove,  H.  Tallhelm;  Eastern  Vir- 
ginia, W.  J.  Miller;  Rockbridge,  to  be  supplied;  Conference  book 
agent,  George  Hoffman. 

1868 

Conference  at  Martinsburg,  W.  Va.,  February  7. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  W.  O.  Grim,  C.  T.  Stearn,  secretaries. 

Present:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  George  W.  Statton,  William  T. 
Lower,  C.  T.  Stearn,  George  W.  Albaugh,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  J.  K. 
Nelson,  T.  S.  McNeil,  J.  Harp,  James  W.  Hott,  Henry  Tallhelm, 
J.  W.  Grim,  J.  D.  Keedy,  J.  S.  Grim,  George  A.  Shuey,  J.  L.  Grim, 
William  0.  Grim,  P.  H.  Thomas,  William  J.  Miller,  J.  W.  Nihiser, 
C.  B.  Hammack,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  John  W.  Howe,  George  Hoffman, 
H.  A.  Bovey,  A.  M.  Evers,  Jacob  F.  Hott,  George  \V.  Snapp,  J.  M. 
Rodruck,  J.  E,  Hott,  John  W.  Howe,  Snowden  Scott— 32. 

Absent:  William  Lutz,  Jacob  Markwood,  George  W.  Rcxrode, 
J.  Holcomb,  John  Pope,  J.  D.  Fried — 6. 

Died:   J.  Pope,  J.  Delpha. 

Visiting  ministers:    W.  J.  Shuey,  J.  Tobey,  O.  Ferrall,  L 

Baltzcl,  D.  Eberly. 

Conference  divided  into  Potomac  and  Shenandoah  Valley  dis- 
tricts, with  G.  W.  Statton  presiding  elder  for  the  first;  J.  W.  Howe 
for  the  second. 

Ordained:   William  J.  Miller. 

Received  on   transfer:    I.  Baltzell,   Levi  Hess,  Jonathan  Tobey. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  J.  S.  Grim;  Myers- 
ville, A.  M.  Evers;  Boonsboro,  C.  T.  Stearn,  \V.  O.  Grim;  Hagers- 
town, C.  B.  Hammack,  A.  Hoover;  Martinsburg,  W.  T.  Lower;  Back 
Creek  mission,  J.  K.  Nelson;  Bath,  G.  W.  Howe;  South  Branch.  J.  M. 
Rodruck;  Alleghany,  G.  H.  Snapp;  Winchester,  P.  H.  Thomas; 
Woodstock,  J.  W.  Grim;  Lacey  Spring,  H.  A.  Bovey,  Rockingham, 
J.  E.  Hott;  Churchville,  J.  W.  Hott;  Highland,  G.  W.  Rexrode; 
Pleasant  Grove,  H.  Tallhelm;  Page  Valley  mission,  W.  J.  Miller; 
Eastern  Virginia,  to  be  supplied;  book  agent,  George  Hoffman. 

Benevolent  Fund,  $532.88. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


1869 


267 


Conference  at  Otterbein   chapel,   Shenandoah   Co.,  Va.,  Febru- 
ary 11. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  A.  M.  Evers,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  William  T.  Lower,  George  W 
Albaugh,  Dr.  T.  S.  McNeil,  Henry  Tallhelm,  P.  H.  Thomas,  J.  W. 
Nihiser,  John  W.  Howe,  H.  A.  Bovey,  James  W.  Hott,  J.  E.  Hott, 
J.  L.  Grim,  Isaiah  Baltzel,  Dr.  Levi  Hess,  J.  W.  Grim,  Jacob  Mark- 
wood,  G.  T.  Stearn,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  Jacob  F.  Hott,  William  ().  Grim, 
William  J.  Miller,  C.  B.  Hammack,  George  Hoffman,  J.  M.  Rodruck', 
George  W.  Howe,  Snowden  Scott,  William  Lutz,  J.  D  Fried  J 
Holcomb— 30. 

Absent:  J.  K.  Nelson,  J.  D.  Keedy.  G.  H.  Snapp,  George  A. 
Shuey,  J.  Hary,  A.  J.  Bovey,  J.  E.  Grim,  George  W.  Rexrode,  George 
W.  Statton— 9. 

Licentiates:    G.  Harman,  A.  Hoover,  W.  H.  Burtner. 

Benevolent  Fund,  $623.88. 

Collected  for  missions,  $647. 

Presiding  elders:  J.  W.  Howe  (Potomac  District),  G.  W.  Statton 
(S.  V.  District). 

Appointments:  Winchester,  P.  H.  Thomas;  Woodstock,  J.  D. 
Friend;  Lacey  Springs,  H.  A.  Bovey;  Rockingham,  J.  L.  Grim; 
East  Rockingham,  C.  B.  Hammack;  Churchville,  J.  W.  Hott;  Page 
Valley  mission,  W.  J.  Miller;  East  Virginia,  G.  J.  Roudabiish  (by 
P.  E.);  Rockbridge,  A.  Hoover;  Straight  Creek,  J.  W.  Xihiser- 
Friedman's,  (to  be  suppHed  by  P.  E.);  Frederick,  H.  Tallhehn,' 
J.  E.  Hott;  Myersville,  A.  M.  Evers;  Boonsboro,  C.  T.  Stearn, 
it.  H.  Snapp:  Hagerstown,  J.  \V.  Kiracofe;  Hagerstown  mission 
station,  I.  Baltzel;  Martinsburg,  W.  T.  Lower;  Back  Creek  mission, 
J.  K.  Nelson;  Bath,  G.  W.  Howe;  Alleghany,  J.  M.  Hodruck;  South 
Branch,  J.  W.  Grim. 

1870 

Conference  at  Chewsville,  Md.,  February  17. 

Jonathan  Weaver,  bishop;  W.  O.  Grim,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  Markwood,  Dr.  T.  S.  McNeil,  P.  H.  Thomas, 
John  W.  Howe,  James  W.  Hott,  J.  L.  (irim,  J.  \V.  Grim.  J.  W.  Kira- 
cofe, Wilham  O.  Grim,  George  W.  Brown,  (ieorge  Hoffmnn.  J.  M. 
Rodruck,  J.  D.  Fried,  J.  D.  Keedy,  George  A.  Shuey,  J.  Harp,  A. 
Hoover,  J.  K.  Nelson,  George  W.  Albaugh,  J.  Ross,  Jacob  J.  Gloss- 
brenner, William  T.  Lower,  Henry  Tallhelm,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  H.  A. 
Hovey,  J.  E.  Hott,  Jacob  F.  Hott,  Isaiah  Baltzel,  C.  T.  Stearn.  Wil- 
liam J.  Miller.  C.  B.  Hammack,  A.  M.  Evers,  George  W.  Howe,  J. 
Holcomb,  G.  H.  Snapp,  (ieorge  W.  Statton,  J.  S.  Grim,  Snowden 
Scott,  Dr.  Levi  Hess,  John  Ruebush,  George  Harman— 41. 


•  ill 


268 


UNITED    BFiETHREN 


Absent:  William  Liitz,  George  W.  Rexrode,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  W. 
Burtncr,  G.  J.  Roudabush — 5. 

Visiting  ministers:  Z.  Colestock,  J.  X.  Qnigley,  S.  A.  Mowers, 
J.  B.  Bishop;   all  from  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

\V.  T.  Lower  granted  open  transfer;  J.  E.  Hott  withdrew. 

Licentiates:   J.  X.  Ross,  G.  W.  Brown. 

Besolved  that  each  pastor  "be  required  to  read  four  times  every 
years  to  each  of  his  congregations  the  portion  of  Discipline  re- 
ferring to  secret  societies. 

Benevolent  Fund,  .S73L82;  Mission  Fund  received  from  charges, 

$fi9L67. 

Presiding  elders:    H.  A.  Bovey  (Potomac  District),  J.  W.  Howe 

(S.  V.  District). 

Appointments,  162;  classes,  L38;  members  received,  906;  mem- 
bers at  end  of  year,  4,917;  Telescopes,  294;  meeting  houses,  7.5; 
Sunday  Schools,  91;  Sunday  School  pupils.  4,586;  teachers  and 
officers,  8.i0;  collected  for  all  purposes,  ?^16,541.0r);  salaries  of 
preachers,  $8,156.90. 

Appointments:  Frederick,  J.  K.  Nelson;  Myersville,  Cu  W.  Stat- 
ion; Boonsboro,  C.  T.  Stearn,  W.  O.  Grim;  Hagerstown  mission, 
J.  W.  Kirocafe;  Hagerstown,  \.  Baltzel;  Martinsburg,  P.  H.  Thomas; 
Tuscarora  mission,  H.  Tallhelm;  Potomac,  G.  H.  Snapp;  Bath. 
W.  J.  Miller;  Alleghany.  J.  M.  Rodruck;  South  Branch,  .1.  W.  Grim; 
AVinchester,  G.  W'  Howe;  Woodstock,  J.  D.  Freed;  Lacey  Si)rings, 
A.  M.  Evers;  Rockingham  mission,  J.  L.  Grim;  Pleasant  Grove, 
C.  B.  Hammack;  Church ville,  J.  W.  Hott;  Shenando  mission,  J.  Hol- 
comb;  Page  Valley,  J.  X.  Ross;  Eastern  Virginia,  G.  J.  Roudabush; 
Straight  Creek,  A.  Hoover;  Friedman's  mission,  J.  Brown. 

1871 

Conference  at  Mount  Hebron  cliurch.  Grant  Co.,  W.  Va.,  Febru- 
ary 16. 

Jonathan  Weaver,  bishop;  J.  W.  Hott.  secretary. 

Present:  A.  M.  Evers.  H.  A.  Bovey,  .1  W.  G-^ni,  p.  H.  Thomas, 
James  W.  Ib^t,  J.  M.  Rodruck,  .1.  Holcom!),  J.  K.  Ross,  George  A. 
Shuey,  Dr.  T.  S.  McXeil.  J.  V\'.  Xihiser,  D.  P.  Keedy,  George  W. 
Rexrode,  C.  T.  Stearn,  George  W.  Station.  George  W.  Howe,  W.  O. 
Grim,  C.  B.  Hammack,  Joiin  W.  Howe,  A.  Hoover,  W.  J.  Miller, 
Henry  Tallhelm,  John  Ruebush,  W.  Burtner,  Snowden  Scott,  George 
W.  Albaugh,  Adam  I.  Bovey— 28. 

Absent:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  J.  W.  Kiracofe.  G.  H.  Snapp, 
G.  W.  Brown,  George  HotTman,  Dr.  Levi  Hess,  Joshua  Harp.  Jacob 
Markwood,  J.  K.  Xelson,  J.  D.  Freed,  Isaiah  Baltzel,  J.  F.  Hott. 
J.  S.  Grim,  William  Lutz,  G.  Harman — 15. 

Assessment  of  -^^LOOO  for  missionary  exi)enses  ordered. 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


269 


Establishment  of  Union  Biblical  Seminary  endorsed. 

Licentiate:    J.  B.  Funk. 

Ordained:    A.  Hoover. 

Transferred:    C.  T.  Stearn. 

Preaching   places,    194;   classes,    153;    members   received,   I  im- 
members  at  end  of  year,  5,401;  Telescopes,  427;  meeting  houses,  7'>- 
Sunday  School  pupils,  6,155;  teachers  and  otlicers,  796;  salaries  of 
preachers,  $7,594.04;  collected  for  missions,  .$897;  for  all  purposes 
$23,206.66. 

Presiding  elders:     A.   1.   Bovev    (Potomac   District)    — — __ 
(S.  V.  District). 

Appointments:  Myersville,  G.  W.  Station;  Frederick,  J.  K.  Xel 
son;  Boonsboro,  J.  W.  Hott,  and  one  to  be  supplied;  Hagerstown, 
A.  M.  Evers;  Hagerstown  station,  J.  W.  Kiracofe;  Tuscarora  mis- 
sion, .1.  I).  Freed;  Back  Creek  mission,  (i.  H.  Snapp;  Bath,  W.  J. 
Miller;  South  Branch,  J.  M.  Rodruck,  C.  M.  Hott;  Alleghany,  J.  W. 
Xihiser;  Potomac  mission,  W.  O.  Grim. 

1872 

Conference  at  Edinburg,  Va.,  February  16. 

Jonathan  Weaver,  bishop;  J.  L.  Grim,  secretary. 

Present:  A.  M.  Evers,  H.  A.  Bovey,  C.  B.  Hammack,  P.  H.  Thomas, 
J.  M.  Rodruck,  J.  M.  Ross,  W.  H.  Rurtner,  Joshua  Harp,  George 
Harman,  J.  Zerman,  J.  Xegley,  C.  M.  Hott,  George  W.  Station,  ,Tohn 
Ruebush,  T.  S.  McXeil,  J.  F.  Hott,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  John  W.  Howe, 
J.  L.  Grim,  J.  I).  Freed,  William  J.  Miller,  Henrv  Tallhelm,  J  w' 
Xihiser,  J.  W.  Albaugh,  J.  B.  Funk,  J.  E.  Whitesel,  Abraham  P 
Funkhouser,   G.   H.   Snapp,  J.    K.   Xelson,  James   W.   Hott.   William 

0.  Grim,  George  W.  Howe,  J.  M.  (Irini,  (ieorge  Hoffman,  I)  P 
Keedy,  William  Lutz,  E.  P.  Funk,  P.  W.  Weller,  J.  W.  Funk— .T.). 

Absent:     A.    Hoover,    (Ieorge    A.    Shuey,    Snowden    Scott,    Adam 

1.  Bovey,  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  J.  Holcomb,  Levi  Hess,  George 
W.  Rexrode,  Jacob  Markwood,  (i.  W.  Brown,  J.  S.  (irim,  Jonathan 
Tobey — 12. 

D.  K.  Flickinger,  missionary  secretary,  present. 
Licentiates:    E.   P.   Funk,  f.   E.   Whitesel,   P.   W 
Funkhouser,  J.  Xegley,  J.  W.  Funk.   C.  M.   Hott. 
Transferred:    I.  Baltzel  (E.  Penna.). 
Received:    J.  Zarman   (Minnesota  Conference). 

Benevolent  Fund,  $785.92;  secured  for  missions,  8300;  for  U    B 
Seminary,  $100. 

Special    resolution    encouraging    the    building    of    a    church    at 
Winchester. 

Committee    appointed    "to    take    under    advisement    the    matter 


Weller,   A.   p. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


270 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


271 


of  publishing  our  minutes  at  the  next  session."     Note:-This  wa^ 
the  first  move  toward  printing  the  conference  minutes  in  pamphlet 

form. 

Preaching  places,  192;  classes,  152;  members  5,626;  meeting 
houses  73;  Telescopes,  299;  parsonage,  7;  Sunday  Schools,  90; 
teachers  and  oflicers,  763;  scholars,  4,416;  salaries,  .S8,951.44;  mis- 
sions  ^823.33;  collected  for  all  purposes,  ?26,687.18. 

Presiding  elders:  H.  A.  Bovey  (Potomac  District),  G.  W.  Statton 
(S.  V.  District). 

Appointments:  Hagerstown,  J.  W.  Howe;  Myersville  J  K. 
Nelson;  Hagerstown,  J.  W.  Kiracofe;  Boonsboro  and  1^;;^'^  >'^^'^j^' 
J  W  Hott  W.  ().  (irim;  Martinsburg,  P.  H.  Thomas;  South  Branch, 
A  Hoover';  Alleghany,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  P.  W.  Weller;  Frederick. 
A  M  Evers;  Bath,  ,1.  M.  Bodruck;  Potomac  mission,  J.  /arman, 
C  I  B  Brane;  Mechanicstown,  J.  B,  Funk;  New  Creek,  \\ .  J. 
Miller;  Back  Creek  mission,  J.  E.  Whitesel;  Churchville,  J.  L. 
(,rim;  Bockingham,  H.  Tallhelm,  C.  M.  Hott;  Page  \  alley  h^  P. 
Funk-  East  Virginia  mission,  J.  M.  Boss;  Lacey  Springs,  J.  Bue< 
bush;' Highland,  J.  W.  Grim;  Edinburg,  J.  \V.  Grim;  Winchester. 
C  B  Hammack;  Winchester  station,  G.  W.  Howe;  Tuscarora  mis- 
sion, J.  D.  Freed;  Bockbridge,  G.  H.  Snapp;  Friedman's  (Freed- 
man's?)  mission,  to  be  supplied;  bishop  Ohio  district,  J.  J.  (doss- 
brenner. 

1873 

Conference   at  Hagerstown.  Md.,   February   13. 

Jonathan  Weaver,  bishop,  W.  0.  (irim,  secretary. 

Present:  George  W.  Statton,  ,1.  F.  Hott,  James  W.  Hott,  J.  K. 
Nelson,  J.  W\  Grim,  George  W.  Howe,  William  O.  Grim,  J.  W . 
Nihiser,  George  W.  Albaugh,  J.  Zerman,  Abram  P.  Funkhouser, 
A  Hoover,  Jonathan  Tobey,  John  Buebush,  A.  M.  Evers,  H.  A. 
Bovev,  C.  B.  Hammack,  P.  H.  Thomas,  J.  M.  Boderick,  Henry  Tall- 
helm;  D.  P.  Keedv,  J.  B.  Funk,  J.  E.  Wiiitesel,  J.  W.  Funk,  J.  S. 
Grim  C.  I.  B.  Brane,  T.  S.  McNeil,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  John  W.  Howe. 
J  1  Grim  J.  D.  Freed,  William  J.  Miller,  George  Hoflman,  Joshua 
Harp,   E.   P.   Funk,   P.   W.   Weller,   C.   M.   Hott,   Snowden    Scott,   J. 

Zahn — 39.  t     rr   i         i      f 

\bsenf  Jacob  Markwood,  W.  H.  Burtner,  J.  Holcomb,  Levi 
Hess  Jacob  J.  (ilossbrenner,  William  Lutz,  G.  W^  Brown,  Adam  L 
Bovey,  J.  N.  Boss,  (ieorge  Harman,  George  A.  Shuey,  George   H. 

Snapp — 12.  I  ^■     r 

G.  W.  Statton   ordered  to  prepare   the   minutes   for  publication 

and  500  copies  to  be  printed. 

Visiting  ministers:  W.  A.  Jackson,  G.  \\.  M.  Bigor,  \\.  T.  Lower. 

Shaffer. 

Received:    J.  Zahn,  C.  I.  B.  Brane. 


Died:   J.  Markwood.    Memorial  services  held. 

Assessment  for  missionary  purposes,  $1,500. 

Vote  to  cooperate  with  Lebanon  Valley  College.  Trustees 
-elected. 

Benevolent  Fund,  $887.26. 

Strong  resolutions  in  favor  of  building  church  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C. 

Appointments,  165;  classes,  147;  members  received,  867;  at  end 
of  year,  5,756;  Telescopes,  361;  meeting  houses,  76;  Sunday  Schools, 
93;  teachers  and  officers,  799;  scholars,  4,544;  parsonages,  7;  col- 
lected for  missions,  $1,190.11;  for  all  purposes.  $18,562,  55;  salaries 
of  preachers,  $7,785.17. 

Presiding  elders:  D.  P.  Keedy  (Potomac  Dist.),  G.  W.  Statton 
(S.  V.  Dist.) 

Appointed:  Frederick,  A.  M.  Evers;  Mechanicstown,  C.  M.  Hott; 
Myersville,  J.  K.  Nelson;  Keedysville  station,  H.  A.  Bovey;  Boons- 
boro station,  J.  W.  Kiracofe;  Hagerstown,  J.  L.  Grim;  Hagerstown 
station,  J.  W.  Hott;  Potomac  mission,  J.  I).  Freed;  New  (iermany, 
C.  I.  B.  Brane;  New  Creek,  W.  J.  Miller;  South  Branch,  J.  E.  White- 
sel;  Bath,  J.  M.  Roderick;  Martinsburg  station,  J.  W.  Howe;  Tus- 
<?arora  mission,  C.  B.  Hanmiack;  Back  Creek  mission,  A.  Hoover; 
Winchester,  J.  B.  Funk;  Winchester  station,  G.  W.  Howe;  Edin- 
burg, J.  Buebush;  Lacey  Spring,  J.  W.  Grim;  Bockingham,  J.  W. 
Nihiser;  Singers  Glen,  P.  H.  Thomas;  Page  Valley,  E.  P.  Funk; 
Churchville,  W.  O.  Grim;  Bockbridge,  G.  W.  Kiracofe;  East  Virginia 
mission;  H.  Tallhelm;  Alleghanv,  J.  B.  Funk;  Highland.  \\  W. 
Weller. 

1874 

Conference  at  Martinsburg,  W.  Va.,  F'ebruary  12. 

David  Edwards,  bishop;  W.  O.  (irim,  J.  L.  Grim,  secretaries. 

Visiting  ministers:  W.  O.  Tobey,  E.  Light,  B.  G.  Huber,  D.  S. 
Early,  J.  A.  Evans,  Jacob  Erb  (ex-bishop). 

J.  Holcomb,  J.  N.  Boss  withdrew  to  join  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South. 

Honorably  dismissed  at  their  own  re(iuest:  H.  Tallhelm,  J. 
Tobey. 

Received:  I.  M.  Underwood  (Parkersburg  ConL),  Charles  Miller 
(Evan.  Asso'n). 

Transferred:    L.  Hess   (Parkersburg  Conf.) 

Licentiates:  Z.  Umstadt,  (i.  W.  Kiracofe,  J.  N.  Fries,  D.  Barn- 
hart,  William  Beall,  J.  G.  Humphries. 

Ordained:    W.  H.  Burtner,  (i.  H.  Snapp. 

J.  Zahn  grated  a  renewal  of  his  long  lost  parchments. 

At  an  evening  missionary  meeting  $500  subscribed. 

Benevolent  Fund,  $890.39. 

D.  D.  Keedy,  J.  Ruebush  a  committee  to  raise  funds  to  remove 


!    tl 


272 


UNITED    RHETHHEN 


the  body  of  Bishop  Markwood  from  Luray  to  Rohrersville,  and  to 
erect  a  monument. 

Appointments,  179;  organized  churches,  152;  members  received, 
864;  at  end  of  year,  5,731;  Telescopes,  448;  meeting  houses,  91; 
parsonages,  7;  Sunchiy  Schools,  90;  teachers  and  oflicers,  895; 
scholars,  5,110;  collected  for  missions,  s?349.85;  for  all  purposes, 
$21,383.27;  salaries.  .^8.700.92. 

Presiding  elders:    I).  I).  Keedy   (Potomac  Dist.),  J.  Huebush   (S.. 

V.  Dist.). 

Appointed:  Frederick,  A.  M.  Evers;  Mechanicstown,  C.  T.  H. 
Rrane;  Myersville,  J.  K.  Nelson;  Keedysvillo.  11.  A.  Rovcy;  P>oons- 
boro,  J.  W.  Kiracofe;  Hagerstown.  .1  L.  Griiu;  Magerstown  station, 
G.  \V.  Statton;  Potomac  mission,  .1.  D.  Freed;  New  Germany,  W.  D. 
Rarger;  Alleghany,  J.  R.  Funk;  Martinsburg  station,  J.  W.  Howe; 
Tuscarora  mission,  C.  R.  Hanunack;  Rack  Greek  mission,  P.  H. 
Thomas;  Rath,  J.  M.  Roderick;  Winchester  mission  station,  .1.  E. 
Whitesel;  Winchester,  J.  W.  Funk;  Edinburg,  W.  Reall;  Eacey 
Spring,  J.  W.  Grim;  Rockingham,  J.  W.  Nihiser;  Singers  Glen,  I.  M. 
Underwood;  Page  Valley,  G.  J.  Roudabush;  Ghurchville,  W.  O. 
Grim;  Highland,  E.  P.  Funk;  Mill  Creek  mission,  to  be  supi)lied; 
Pxockbridge  mission.  G.  W.  Kiracofe;  New  Creek,  W.  ,J.  >Pller; 
South  Rranch,  P.  W.  Weller;  Swift  Run,  Henry  .Tones;  Cacapon, 
(Charles  Miller;  Timber  Ridge,  J.  M.  Hott;  honu'  evangelist.  G.  H. 
Snapp;  treasurer  General  Missionary  Society,  J.  W.  Hott;  bishop 
west  of  Mississippi,  Glossbrenner. 

1875 

('onference  at  Keedysville,  Md.,  February  3. 

David  Edwards,  bishop;  W.  ().  Grim,  William  Reall,  Secretaries. 

Present:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  Jacob  F.  Hott,  John  W.  Howe, 
A.  M.  Evers,  H.  A.  Rovey,  J.  L.  (him,  J.  I).  Freed,  William  O.  Gririi, 
D.  I).  Keedy,  George  W.  Statton,  (ieorge  Hoffman,  J.  Zahn,  J.  W. 
Kiracofe,  James  W.  Hott,  J.  W.  (u'im,  J.  M.  Roderick,  W.  H.  F^urtner,. 
Joshua  Harp,  John  Ruebush,  George  A.  Shuey,  J.  S.  Grim,  J.  K.  Nel- 
son, C.  R.  Hanunack,  P.  H.  Thomas,  W.  J,  Miller,  J.  W.  Nihist'r,  Geo. 
W.  Albaugh,  George  Harman,  J.  Zernum,  Abram  P.  Funkhcniser, 
Snowdon  Scott,  1.  M.  Underwood,  J.  N.  Fries,  W.  H.  ("lary,  G.  J. 
Roudabush,  J.  R.  Funk,  J.  E.  Whitesel,  J.  W.  Funk,  George  W. 
Rexrode,  Z.  Umstadt,  D.  Rarnhart,  A.  D.  Freed,  Henry  Jones,  E.  P. 
Funk,  P.  M.  Weller,  C.  M.  Hott,  C.  I.  R.  Rrane,  G.  W\  Kiracofe,  Wil- 
liam Beall,  M.  F.  Keiter,  J.  N.  Ridenour — 51. 

Absent:   William  Lutz,  Adam  I.  Rovey,  Charles  Miller,  A.  Hoover, 
G.  H.  Snapp,  J.  (i.  Humphreys,  G.  W.  Rrown,  J.  Negley — 8. 

Visiting  ministers:    Pres.  Hanmiond,  W.  O.  Smith,  J.  X.  Quigley, 
G.  W\  Lightner,  J.  R.  Resler. 

Licentiates:   A.  D.  Freed,  \V.  H.  Clary,  M.  F.  Keiter,  G.  J.  Rouda- 
bush, Henrv  Jones,  J.  R.  Ridenour. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


273 


Ordained:  E.  P.  Funk,  J.  \V.  Funk,  C.  M.  Hott,  P.  W.  Weller, 
J.  E.  W^hitesel. 

G.  W.  Statton,  D.  D.  Keedy,  J.  Harp  a  committee  to  have  Con- 
ference incorporated. 

D.  D.  Keedy  api)()inted  agent   for  Lebanon   Valley  College. 

Died:  Dr.  T.  S.  McNeil,  drowned  in  Ohio  while  on  his  way  to 
Parkersburg  (Conference. 

Appointments,  188;  organized  churches,  152;  members  icceived, 
950;  at  end  of  year,  6,123;  Telescopes,  404;  meeting  houses,  87; 
parsonages,  9;  Sunday  Schools,  119;  teachers  and  officers.  114  (?); 
scholars,  5,686;  collected  for  missions,  $1,351.83;  for  all  purposes, 
$21,328.51;  salaries  of  preachers,  $10,151.81. 

Presiding  elders:  J.  W.  Howe  (Potomac  Dist.),  J.  Ruebush, 
(S.  V.  Dist.). 

Appointed:  P'rederick,  J.  L.  Grim;  Mechanicstown,  C.  1.  R.  F^rane, 
Myersville,  J.  ^V.  Funk;  Roosboro  station,  J.  W.  Kiracofe;  Keedys- 
ville station,  H.  A.  Rovey;  Hagerstown,  J.  R.  Funk;  Hagerstown 
station,  G.  W.  Statton;  Martinsburg  station,  A.  M.  Evers;  Potomac 
mission,  G.  \V.  Kiracofe;  Tuscarora,  J.  D.  Freed;  Rath,  C.  R.  Ham- 
mack;  Rack  Creek,  P.  H.  Thomas;  Alleghany,  G.  W.  Rexrode:  Key- 
ser  mission,  J.  W.  Grim;  New^  Creek,  J.  M.  Roderick;  Winchester, 
J.  K.  Nelson;  Winchester  mission  station,  M.  F.  Keiter;  Edinburg, 
W.  Reall;  Dayton,  J.  W.  Nihiser;  Lacey  Spring,  I.  M.  Underwood; 
Rockingham,  W.  0.  Grim,  W.  D.  Rarger;  Page  Valley,  G.  J.  Rouda- 
bush; Ghurchville,  J.  E.  Whitesel;  Rockbridge,  C.  H.  Crowell; 
Madison  mission,  H.  Jones;  Rloomery  mission,  J.  M.  Hott;  Cacapon 
mission,  C.Miller,  South  Rranch,  J.  R.  Ridenour;  Mill  (jcek,  G. 
H.  Snapp;  Highland,  E.  P.  Funk;  Augusta  Freedman's  mission.  J. 
A.  Evans;  Rockingham  mission,  S.  T.  W^ells. 

1876 

Conference  at  Churchville,  Va.,  February  2. 

David  Edwards,  bishop;  W.  0.  Grimm,  A.  M.  Evers,  secretaries. 

Present:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  John  W.  Howe,  J.  K.  Nelson, 
C.  B.  Hanmiack,  W.  O.  Grinuu,  W.  PI.  Rurtner,  George  W.  Albaugh, 
E.  P.  Funk,  Abram  P.  Funkhouser,  G.  H.  Snapp,  I.  M.  Underwood, 
William  Beall,  G.  J.  Roudabush,  S.  T.  Wells,  George  \V.  Statton, 
A.  M.  Evers,  H.  A.  Bovey,  J.  L.  Grim,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  D.  D.  Keedy, 
George  Harman,  J.  Zerman,  J.  W.  Funk,  G.  \Y.  Browm,  C.  I.  B. 
Brane,  Charles  Miller,  A.  D.  Freed,  Henry  Jones,  John  Ruebush, 
J.  \\\  Kiracofe,  J.  W.  Hott,  J.  M.  Rodruck,  George  HofTman,  Joshua 
Harp,  J.  B.  Funk,  J.  E.  Whitesel,  C.  M.  Hott,  George  W.  Howe,  J. 
Zahn,  G.  W.  Kiracofe,  M.  F.  Keiter,  J.  R.  Ridenour — 45. 

Absent:  J.  F.  Hott,  W.  J.  Miller,  J.  S.  Grim,  George  W.  Rex- 
rode, Z.  Umstadt,  J.  G.  Humphreys,  J.  W.  Grim,  William  Lutz, 
(jeorge  A.  Shuey,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  J.  N.  Fries,  W.  H.  Clary,  P.  11. 


274 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


275 


Thomas,  P.  W.  Weller,  Snowden  Scott,  J.  Negley,  D.  Barnhart — 17. 

S.  T.  Wells  (colored)  received  from  Des  Moines  Conference. 

Transferred:    J.   \V.   (irini. 

Visiting  ministers:  \V.  J.  Shuey,  D.  K.  Flickinger,  J.  B.  Resler, 
J.  M.  Hershey,  Prof.  W.  S.  Walker. 

G.  W.  Alt)augh  withdrew  from  conference  and  church. 

Ordained:  W.  Heall,  C.  1.  B.  Brane,  G.  Harman,  A.  P.  Funk- 
houser. 

Licentiates:    C.  W.  Stinespring,  I.  T.  Parlett. 

Presiding  elders:  J.  Ruehiish  (Potomac  Dist.),  J.  W.  Howe 
(S.  V.  Dist.). 

Appointments,  212;  organized  churches,  MVA;  memhers  received, 
1,245;  at  end  of  year,  6,772;  Sunday  Schools,  12();  teachers  and 
officers,  1,141;  scholars,  r),()39;  meeting  houses,  92;  parsonages,  9; 
Telescopes,  389;  collected  for  mission  $1,206.85;  for  all  purposes, 
§21,100;  salaries  of  preachers,  §9,500. 

Appointed:  Hagerstown,  J.  B.  Funk;  Hagerstown  station,  C. 
M.  Hott;  Potomac,  (i.  W.  Kiracofe;  Boonsboro,  H.  A.  Bovey; 
Keeysville  station,  .1.  W.  Kiracofe;  Mechanicstown,  E.  P.  Funk; 
Myersville,  J.  W.  Funk;  Frederick  mission  and  station,  J.  L.  (^rim; 
Martinsburg  station,  A.  M.  Evers;  Tuscarora,  J.  D.  Freed;  Alleghany, 
.1.  E.  Widmeyer;  Westernport  mission  station,  I.  M.  Underwood; 
Bath,  C.  B.  Hannnack;  Berkeley,  W.  Beall;  New  Creek,  J.  M.. 
Roderick;  Winchester,  J.  K.  Nelson;  Winchester  mission  station, 
G.  W.  Howe;  South  Branch,  J.  R.  Ridenour;  South  Fork  mission, 
C.  Miller;  Mill  Creek,  to  be  supplied;  Highland,  A.  P.  Funkhouser; 
Church ville,  J.  E.  Whitesel;  Rockingham,  W.  O.  Grim;  Shady 
Grove,  C.  W.  Stinespring;  Lacey  Spring,  M.  F.  Keiter;  Dayton, 
J.  W.  Nihiser;  Edinburg,  G.  W.  Station;  Page  Valley,  G.  J.  Rouda- 
bush;  Madison  mission,  H.  Jones;  Rockbridge,  C.  H.  Crowell; 
Bloomery  mission,  J.  M.  Hott;  Augusta  Frcedmen's  mission,  .1.  A. 
Evans;  Rockingham  Freedmen's  mission,  S.  T.  Wells;  Garrett,  G. 
H.  Snapp;  agent  Lebanon  Valley  College,  D.  D.  Keedy;  treasurer 
General  Missionary  Society,  J.  W.  Hott;  bishop  Ohio  District, 
J.  J.  Glossbrenner. 

1877 
Conference  at  Rohrersville,  Md.,  February  3. 

John  Dickson,  bishop;  W.  0.  Grim,  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  secretaries. 

Present:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  John  \\.  Howe,  J.  K.  Nelson, 
C.  B.  Hammack,  William  O.  Grim,  D.  D.  Keedy,  J.  Zerman,  J.  w! 
Funk,  G.  H.  Snapp,  I.  M.  Underwood,  M.  F.  Keiter,  J.  R.  Ridenour, 
J.  D.  Freed,  J.  S.  Grim,  Z.  Umstot,  I.  T.  Parlett,  George  \\.  Station! 
A.  M.  Evers,  H.  A.  Bovey,  J.  L.  Grim,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  Joshua  Harp! 
J.  E.  Whitesel,  C.  M.  Hott,  C.  I.  B.  Brane,  G.  W.  Kiracofe,  G.  j! 
Roudabush,  J.  F.  Hott,  W.  J.  Miller,  George  W.  Rexrode,  J.  N.' Fries! 
S.  T.  Wells,  John  Ruebush,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  J.  W.  Hott,  J.  M.  Rodruck! 


W.  H.  Burtner,  J.  B.  Funk,  Abram  P.  Funkhouser,  A.  Hoover,  J. 
Zahn,  William  Beall,  Henry  Jones,  P.  H.  Thomas,  P.  W.  Weller, 
J.  Negley,  C.  W.  Stinespring — 47. 

Absent:  George  A.  Shuey,  George  Harman,  Charles  Miller,  Adam 
I.  Bovey,  W.  H.  Clary,  A.  D.  Freed,  G.  W.  Brown,  William  Lutz, 
George  Hoflman,  George  W.  Howe,  Snowden  Scott,  J.  G.  Hum- 
phreys— 13. 

J.  E.  Hott  received  from  Dakota  Conference. 

Visiting  ministers:  S.  M.  Hippard,  J.  B.  Resler,  J.  M.  Hershey, 
President  DeLong. 

Licentiates:  S.  K.  Wine,  J.  I).  Donovan,  J.  M.  llott,  J.  E.  Wid- 
meyer. 

The  names  of  G.  W.  Brown  and  J.  (i.  Humphreys  dropped  from 
roll,  the  former  for  withdrawing  under  charges,  the  latter  for 
failing  to  meet  his  conunittee  on  course  of  reading. 

Ordained:    G.  W.  Kiracofe. 

Died:   A.  D.  Freed,  (Oct.  1876). 

Minutes  ordered  printed. 

Articles   of  Incorporation   adopted. 

Benevolent  Fund,  §1,061.99. 

A  Conference  Educational  Society  provided  for.  J.  W.  Hott  to 
prepare  a  constitution,  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  an  address  for  publica- 
tion. 

Appointments,  223;  organized  churches,  179;  members  received, 
1,109;  at  end  of  year,  7,269;  Telescopes,  388;  meeting  houses,  96; 
parsonage,  9;  Sunday  Schools,  139;  teachers  and  officers,  1,204; 
scholars,  6,441;  collected  for  missions,  §1,151.89;  for  all  other 
purposes,  §16,790.17;  salaries  of  pastors,  §9,521.99. 

Presiding  elders:  J.  Huebush  (Potomac  Dist.),  J.  H.  Howe 
<S.  V.  Dist.). 

Appointed:  Church  ville,  J.  E.  Whitesel;  Rockingham,  J.  E. 
Hott;  Shady  Grove,  J.  I).  Donovan;  Scnith  Fork  mission,  E.  L^ 
Funk;  Highland,  J.  E.  Widmeyer;  Winchester,  W.  J.  Miller;  Win- 
chester station,  J.  K.  Nelson;  South  Branch,  1.  M.  Lnderwood; 
Rockbridge.  C.  H.  Crowell;  Edinburg,  W.  O.  Grim;  Lacey  Spring, 
M.  F.  Keiter;  Mill  Creek,  to  be  supplied;  Bloomery  mission,  J.  M. 
Hott;  Page  Valley,  G.  J.  Roudabush;  Dayton,  A.  P.  Funkhouser; 
Madison,  H.  Jones;  Augusta  Freedmen's  mission,  J.  A.  Evans; 
Rockingham  Freedmen's  mission,  S.  T.  Weils;  Frederick  circuit 
and  station,  J.  L.  Grim;  Mechanicstown,  J.  D.  Freed;  Hagerstown, 
J.  R.  Ridenour;  Hagerstown  station,  C.  M.  Hott;  Boonsboro,  H.  A. 
Bovey;  Keeysville  station,  J.  W.  Kiracofe;  Potomac  mission,  P.  W. 
W'eller;  Martinsburg  station,  A.  M.  Evers;  Opequon,  J.  B.  Funk; 
Charles  Mission,  J.  Negley;  Bath,  C.  B.  Hammack;  New  Creew, 
G.  W.  Kiracofe;  Garrett,  G.  W.  Rexrode;  Westernport  station,  C.  W. 
Stinespring;  Myersville,  J.  W.  Funk;  Berkeley,  W.  Beall;  Alleghany, 


276 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


J.  M.  Roderick;  bishop  West  Mississippi  Dist.,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner; 
general  book  agent  and  evangelist,  G.  H.  Snapp;  General  Mission- 
ary Treasurer,  J.  W.  Hott. 

1878 

(AHiference  at  Winchester,  Va.,  February  20. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishop;  W.  O.  Grim,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  A.  M.  Evers,  J.  W.  Hott,  J.  M. 
Roderick,  Joshua  Harp,  J.  E.  Whitesel,  C.  M.  Hott,  I.  M.  I'nderwood, 
Henry  Jones,  J.  D.  Freed,  George  W.  Rexrode,  J.  N.  Fries,  George 
W.  Howe,  J.  D.  Donovan,  I.  T.  Hott,  C.  W.  Hutzler,  J.  H.  Parlett, 
J.  \V.  Kiracofe,  John  Ruebush,  D.  D.  Keedy,  William  O.  Grim,  E.  P. 
F'unk.  Abram  P.  Funkhouser,  G.  H.  Snapp,  William  Beall,  J.  R. 
Ridenour,  W.  J.  Miller,  J.  A.  Negley,  C.  W.  Stinespring,  Snowdon 
Scott,  J.  M.  Hott,  S.  K.  Wine,  C.  H.  Crowell.  E.  Ludwick,  John  W. 
Howe,  J.  K.  Nelson,  J.  L.  Grim,  W.  H.  Burtner,  J.  Zerman,  J.  W. 
Funk,  C.  I.  B.  Brane,  M.  F.  Keiter,  J.  F.  Hott,  J.  S.  Grim,  Z.  Umstot, 
1.  T.  Parlett,  D.  Barnhart,  S.  T.  Wells,  J.  E.  Widmeyer,  W.  R. 
Berry — 50. 

Absent:  George  W.  Station,  J.  B.  Funk,  W.  H.  Clary,  P.  H. 
Thomas,  George  Harman,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  H.  A.  Bovey,  A.  Hoover, 
G.  W.  Kiracofe,  P.  W.  Weller,  Charles  Miller.  J.  W.  Nihiser,  J.  Zahn, 
G.  J.  Roudabush,  (leorge   Hotlman,  William   Lutz — 10. 

Visiting  ministers:  D.  K.  Flickinger,  S.  M.  Hippard,  J.  M.  Her- 
shey,  J.  A.  Evans,  Pres.  DeLong. 

J.  B.  Funk,  G.  W.  Kiracofe,  transferred  to  Pennsylvania  Con- 
ference,  H.  A.  Bovey  to   Central   Ohio. 

licentiates:  C.  H.  Crowell,  J.  H.  Parlett,  I.  T.  Hott,  W.  R.  Berry, 
C.  W.  Hutzler,  E.  Ludwig. 

Ordained:  H.  Jones,  M.  F.  Keiter,  Z.  Umstot,  J.  N.  Fries,  J.  A. 
Negley,  J.  R.  Ridenour. 

Benevolent  Fund,  si, 139.02. 

A  Quarterly  Review  recommended. 

Died:    C.  B.  Hammack   (Mar.  1). 

Constitution  for  Education  Society  adopted,  and  address  of 
A.  P.  Funkhouser  ordered  printed. 

Resolution  passed  requiring  local  preachers  to  submit  their 
annual  reports  in  writing. 

Presiding  elders:  W.  O.  Grim  (Potomac  Dist.),  J.  W.  Howe 
(Shenandoah  Dist.),  A.  M.  Evans  (South  Branch  Dist.). 

Appointments,  219;  organized  churches,  170;  members  received, 
1,10();  at  end  of  year,  7,633;  Telescopes,  498;  church  houses,  101; 
parsonages,  10;  Sunday  Schools,  142;  teachers  and  officers,  1,264* 
scholars,  7,129;  collected  for  missions,  $1,186.97;  for  all  purposes', 
$21,114.20;  salaries  of  preachers,  .^8,757.16. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


277 


Appointed:  Frederick,  E.  Ludwig;  Frederick  station.  J.  L.  Grim; 
Mechanicstown,  J.  D.  Freed;  Myers ville,  C.  M.  Hott;  Keedysville, 
J.  W.  Kiracofe;  Boonsboro  station,  J.  Ruebush;  Hagerstown.  J.  R. 
Ridenour;  Hagerstown  station,  J.  W.  Funk;  Potomac  missit)n,  E. 
P.  Funk;  Opecpion,  S.  K.  Wine:  Martinsburg  station,  J.  K.  Nelson; 
Bath,  1.  M.  Underwood;  Berkeley,  W.  Beall;  Churchville.  J.  E. 
Wiiitesel;  Augusta,  J.  E.  Hott;  Dayton,  A.  P.  Funkhouser; 
Lacey  Spring,  (i.  J.  R()U(lai)ush;  Edinburg.  M.  F.  Keiter:  Mount 
Zion;  J.  M.  Hott;  Winciiester  station.  W.  J.  Miller;  Page  Valley, 
C.  H.  Crowell;  Madison  mission,  H.  Jones;  Rockbridge.  C.  I.  B. 
Brane;  Shady  Grove.  W.  \\.  Berry;  Augusta  Freedmen's  mission,  J.. 
Waite;  Rockingham  Freedmen's  mission,  J.  A.  ICvans;  Clarke  Freed- 
men's mission,  to  be  supplied;  Garrett,  (i.  W.  Rexrode;  Alleghany,, 
J.  M.  Rodruck;  Westerport  station,  C.  W.  Stinespring;  New  Creek, 
J.  W.  Nihiser;  South  Fork  mission,  J.  F.  Hott;  South  Branch,  J.  E. 
Widmeyer;  Bloomery  mission,  J.  I).  Donovan:  Mill  Creek,  J.  G. 
Ketterman;  Highland,  J.  H.  Parlett;  editor  of  "Telescope,"  J.  W. 
Hott;  Conference  Evangelist,  G.  H.  Snapp. 

1879 


(Conference   at    Mechanicstown,   Md.,   February    26. 

A.  P.  Funkhouser,  secretary. 

Present:  Jacob  J.  Cdossbrenner.  A.  M.  Evers,  James  W.  Hott, 
William  O.  Grim,  J.  W.  Funk,  1.  M.  Underwood,  Henry  Jones,  W.  J. 
Miller,  J.  A.  Negley,  J.  T.  Parlett,  G.  J.  Roudabush,  J.  B.  Donovan. 
S.  K.  Wine,  W.  R.  Berry,  George  P.  Hott,  John  Buebush.  J.  \V. 
Kiracofe,  D.  I).  Keedy,  Joshua  Harp,  C.  M.  Hott,  William  Beall, 
J.  R.  Ridenour,  J.  S.  Grim,  J.  N.  Fries.  J.  W.  Nihiser,  (leorge  Har- 
man, J.  E.  Hott,  J.  E.  Widmeyer,  J.  H.  Parlett,  B.  F.  Cronise.  John 
W.  Howe,  J.  K.  Nelson,  J.  L.  (irim,  Abram  P.  Funkhouser,  G  .H. 
Snapp,  M.  F.  Keiter,  J.  I).  Fried,  (ieorge  W.  Rexrode,  C.  W.  Stine- 
spring, A.  Hoover,  D.  Barnhart,  C.  W.  Hutzler,  E.  Eudwig— 44. 

Absent:  George  W.  Station,  J.  M.  Roderick,  W.  H.  Burtner,  E. 
P.  Funk,  C.  I.  B.  Brane,  J.  Zahn,  P.  W.  Weller,  William  Lutz,  Snow- 
don Scott,  S.  T.  Wells,  J.  Zerman.  I.  T.  Holt,  C.  H.  Clary,  George 
Hoffman,  Adam  L  Bovey,  C.  B.  Crowell,  J.  E.  Whitesel,  Z.  Umstot, 
P.  H.  Thomas,  Charles  Miller,  George  W.  Howe,  J.  M.  Hott— 22. 

Visiting  ministers:  J.  P.  Miller,  J.  A.  Evans,  J.  K.  Billhimeri 
Charles  W.  Miller,  I.  Baltzel,  L.  W.  Cranmer,  J.  X.  Quigley,  D.  D. 
DeLong,  G.  W.  Kiracofe,  J.  H.  Powell,  Mrs.  J.  K.  Billhimer. 

Ordained:  B.  F.  Cronise,  G.  J.  Roudabush,  J.  T.  Parlett,  D. 
Barnhart. 

Licentiate:    G.  P.  Hott. 

Cash  raised  for  Edwards  Academy,  $100. 

Most  of  the  local  preachers  submitted  written  reports. 


278 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Died:   J.  E.  Whitesel,  aged  27. 

Visiting  coniinittee  to  Shenandoah  Institute  appointed,  this  be- 
ing the  first  oflicial  recognition  of  the  school. 

Appointments,  215;  organized  churches,  186;  members  received, 
1,113:  at  end  of  year,  7,808;  Telescopes,  564;  Sunday  School,  146; 
teachers  and  otiicers,  1,375;  scholars,  7,531;  meeting  houses,  104; 
parsonages,  10;  collected  for  missions,  $1,155.94;  for  all  purposes, 
$24,250.47;  salaries  of  ministers,  $9,509.86. 

Appointed:  Frederick,  \V.  Beall;  Frederick  station,  J.  L.  Grim; 
Mechanicstown,  J.  I).  Freed;  Myersville,  C  M.  Hott;  Keedysville 
station,  J.  \V.  Kiracofe;  Boonsboro,  J.  Ruebush;  Hagerstown,  .1. 
\V.  Funk;  Hagerstown  station,  C.  \V.  Stinespring;  Opequon,  W.  R. 
Evers;  Marti nsburg  station,  J.  K.  Nelson;  Berkeley  Springs,  I.  M. 
Underwood;  Berkeley,  J.  H.  Parlett;  Church ville,  A.  M.  Evers; 
Augusta,  C.  H.  Crowell;  Dayton.  A.  F.  Funkhouser,  and  one  to  be 
supplied;  Lacey  Spring,  (1.  J.  lioudabush;  Winchester,  E.  Ludwig; 
Winchester  station,  J.  R.  Ridenour;  Page  Valley,  H.  Jones;  Madison 
mission,  I.  T.  Hott;  Rockbridge,  A.  Hoover;  Shady  Grove  mission, 
W.  .[.  Miller;  Glarke  mission,  J.  M.  Hott;  Augusta  Freedmen's  mis- 
sion, to  be  supplied;  Rockingham  F'reedmen's  mission,  ,J.  A.  Evans; 
Garrett,  M.  A.  Salt;  Alleghany,  W.  H.  Glary;  Westernport  station, 
J.  K.  Widmeyer;  New  Creek,  W.  R.  Rerry;  Moorefield  mission,  I.  T. 
Parlett;  Mill  (]reek.  W.  Hesse;  Franklin,  S.  K.  Wine,  editor  Tele- 
sco[)e,  J.  W.  Hott;  bishop  East  Ohio  District,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner; 
professor  in  Shenandoah  Seminary.  J,  N.  Fries. 

Presiding  elders:  W.  ().  Grim  (Potomac  Dist.),  J.  W.  Howe 
Shenandoah  D'st.),  J.  E.  Hott   (South   Branch  Dist.). 


1880 

Conference  at  Edinburg,  Va.,  Mar.  3. 

.John  Dickson,  bishop,  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  secretary. 

Present:  ,Iohn  Ruebush,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  D.  D.  Keedy,  William 
O.  Grim,  .1.  Zerman,  J.  W.  Funk,  William  Reall,  .1.  R.  Ridenour, 
William  J.  Miller,  ,J.  N.  Fries,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  (i.  J.  Roudabush,  Wil- 
liam Lutz,  .1.  D.  Donovan,  J.  E.  Widmeyer,  C.  H.  Crowell,  E.  Lud- 
wick,  M.  L.  Mayselles,  M.  A.  Salt,  John  W.  Howe,  J.  L.  Grim,  W.  H. 
Burtner,  Abram  P.  Funkhouser,  C.  M.  Hott,  C.  W.  Stinespring,  A. 
Hoover,  George  Hofl'man,  George  W.  Howe,  J.  E.  Hott,  S.  K.  Wine, 
W.  R.  Berry,  B.  F.  Cronise,  William  Hesse,  A.  M.  Evers,  J.  W.  Hott, 
J.  M.  Roderick,  Joshua  Harp,  J.  W.  Funk,  I.  M.  Underwood,  Henry 
Jones,  J.  D.  Freed,  George  W.  Rexrode,  I.  T.  Parlett,  W.  H.  Clary, 
Charles  Miller,  D.  Barnhart,  I.  T.  Hott,  C.  W.  Hutsler,  J.  H.  Parlett, 
J.  G.  Ketterman,  A.  M.  Horn — 54. 

Absent:  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  J.  S.  Grim,  P.  H.  Thomas,  Snow- 
don  Scott,  Z.  Umstot,  George  Harman,  C.  I.  B.  Brane,  P.  W.  Weller, 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


279 


J.  M.  Hott,  S.  T.  W^ells,  J.  Zahn,  Adam  I.  Bovey,  George  P.  Hott. 

J.  A.  Evans,  J.  A.  Neeley— 15.  ^    ,^    t,        ,,    xv 

Visiting  ministers:    M.  Bulger,  J.  X.  Quigley,  D.  O.  Farrell  W . 

J.  Prunner,  Pres.  D.  D.  DeLong. 

Received:    J.  A.  Evans  (Mich.  Conf.). 

Voted  to  furnish  a  room  at  U.  B.  Seminary  at  a  cost  of  .^100; 
$30  raised  in  conference. 

Transferred:    P.  W.  Weller,  S.  J.  Wells,  G.  W.  Station. 

Ordained:    J.  E.  Widmeyer,  C.  W.  Stinespring. 

Licentiates:   W.  Hesse,  A.  M.  Horn,  J.  (..  Ketterman,  S.  H.  Snell, 
M.  L.  Mayselles,  M.  A.  Salt. 

Died:    Adam  I.  Bovey,  aged  about  82. 

Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  J^l, 308.89. 

Brid-ewater  church  sold  for  mH  Ihree-lifth  of  this  to  go  to 
district  Varsonage,  two-lifths  to  Augusta  parsonage. 

Trustees  appointed  for  district  parsonage. 

Appointments,  212;  organized  churches  18();  members  received. 
1548  at  end  of  vear,  8,564;  Telescopes  (banner  conference  ,  013; 
^ing  houses,  111;  parsonage,  10;  Sunday  Schools,  l'>^>^ -»^i;  ^-f; 
8.347;  collected  for  missions,^  .^1,187.62;  for  all  purposes,  $26,o/0.(>(>, 
Drenchers'  salaries,  sl(l,323.0.).  .,11.- 

Presiding  elders:  A.  1'.  Funkhouser.  (Shenandoah  Dist.),  ,1.  K. 
Nelson.  (Poton.ae  Dist.).  J.  E.  Hott,  (South  Branch  I),st.). 

A„pointe<l:    Churchville.   A.   M.   I'-vers:   Au.yusta  I  .   (.  oxv.l  . 

l)-,vton    J    W    Howe;  Winchester,  J.  W.  Nih.ser;  Winchester  sta- 
ion    IB    I  i.lenour;  Page  Valley  mission,  H.  ..ones    Madison  nns- 
sion    M    A    Salt:   lU.ckhridge  mission.  A.  Hoover;  (darke  mission 

M    Hott;  I.acev  Spring,  C.  .1.  Houdabush;  Dayton  station,  C    M 
Hot       Edii  l.ur.' '  M.    F.    Keiter;    Nelson    mission,    to   he    supplied. 
FderfckW  "Beall;    ITederick    station.    C   W.   Stinespring     Me- 
Th  o^n    J.  D.  Fi-eed;  Myersville,  J.  Buehush    Keedy.^viHe  s  a- 

,on,  W.  O.  Orim;  ''-"^^Xlct 'op*  ^^n'   l^Sote  \.^ 
Hagerstown  station,  E.  LuchMckOpauonj.  Berkelev 

hnrcr  station  J  E.  Widmever;  Berkeley,  C.  \\  •  Hutzkr,  ikikcrx 
Sp Hng  . ion:  J.  E.  WidniVyer;  C.arre.t.  to  he  supplied;  At  eghany. 
WH  Clary  Westernport  station.  .1.  W.  Hicks;  New  (.reek.  \\ .  1  . 
Ser"y  Mo 0  eiield  mission.  .1.  M.  Bolton;  South  Branch.  J^  M. 
Ho  leHck  Bloomerv,  S.  H.  Snell;  Mill  Creek.  A.  M.  Horn;  Franklin 
M'  H  'sampsell;  West  Augusta  mission,  to  he  -pplied  h.shop  Has 
Ohio  District,  J.  J.  Cdosshrenner;  editor  Telescope,  .1.  W.  Hott.  pio 
fessor  in  Shenandoah  Seminary,  J.  N.  Fries. 

1881 

Conference  at  Boonsboro,  Md.,  March  2, 

1    J    Cdosshrenner.  bishop.  A.  P.  Funkhouser.  secrc  ary. 

Present :  D.  Barnhart.  C.  1.  B.  Brane,  B.  F.  Cronise,  (..  P.  Dyche. 


280 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


W.O.  tries,  J.  J.  (Uossbrenner,  W.  O.  Grim,  W.  Beall,  J.  M.  Bolton, 
C.  H.  Crowell,  A.  M.  Evers,  J.  W.  Funk,  J.  L.  Grim.  J.  Harp,  W  H 
Berry  W.  H.  Clary,  J.  D.  Donovan,  J.  D.  Freed,  A.  P.  Fimlvliouser, 
J.  S.  Gnm.  W.  Hesse,  J.  W.  Flicks,  C.  M.  Hott,  J.  M.  Hott,  (;  W 
Howe  D  D.  Keedy,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  M.  L,  Mayselles,  J.  K.  Nelson,' 
J.  I..  Ridenour.  J.  Houdahush,  S.  H.  Snell,  1.  M.  Underwood.  J. 
Aahn,   A.    Hoover.   J.    E.    Hott.    J.    W.    Hott,    C.    W.    Hiit/ler     \I     F 

p    »  v.     ;  ^V"'''''''""^'  ^-  ^-  ^^'i^^•^^^^ver.  J.  Zerman.  A.  M.  Horn.  ,1, 
t'  a     v     ■  ■        ;  ^!r'''''    "•   •^^'"'''   *^-    ^'-    '^^'tterman,    W.    L.    Martin, 

Umsto^f^K'w-        '"o''^^'   ''•  •'   ^'^^^'^'^^»^^-^^'   ^^-   '''   ^-^M-ell,  Z. 
Lmstot.  S.  K.  \\me — ,)9. 

Absent:    W.  H.  Burtner.  G.  Harman,  G.  HolTman,  J.  W.  Nihiser, 
K   H.    Thomas.  J.  A.   Evans,   G.  P.   Hott.  W.   Liitz.   G.   W.   Hexrode 
J.  N.  Fries,  I.  T.  Hott.  \V.  J.  Miller.  S.  Scott— 1.3 

Visiting  ministers:    G.  H.  Snapp,  W.  R.  Coiirsev,  L.  Hess    J    \ 
Qini^'Iey.  H.  W.  Whitlock,  B.  G.  Huher,  Col.  R.  Cowden,  Pres    d'  d' 
DeLonif. 

Received:    .1.  M  HiVks  (from  Me). 

Licentiates:  W.  ().  Fries,  W.  L.  Martin,  C.  P.  Dvcho,  W  H 
Sampsell,  J.  M.  Bolton.  ' 

1.000  copies  minutes  ordered  printed. 

Westernport  mission  station   stricken   from   list 

General  Conference  requested  to  arrange  for  the  publication  of 
graded  Sunday  School  helps. 

Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  .^1.493  02 

Collection  of  ^50.30  for  W.  R.  Coursey,  visiting  his  old  home. 

J.  H.  Parlett.  W .  R.  Berry,  J.  D.  Donovan. 

William  Beall  at  his  own  request  given  honorable  disnn-ssal 
from  conference  and  church. 

Died:    P.  W.  Weller. 

Fcr  lay  representation.  11  quarterly  conferences:  against  it    'M 

Aext  General  Conference  requested  to  provide  for  pro  nUa 
representation  in  its  membershin. 

Presiding  elders:    A.  P.  Funkhouser,  (Shen.  Dist.),  J    K    Nelson 
(Potomac  Dist.),  J.  E.  Hott,   (South  Branch  Dis  )  ' 

Appointments,  224:  organized  churches,  195;  members  received 
/42,  at   end   of  year,  8.4(52:   Telescopes,  074;   meeting  houses     in' 
parsonage^  9;    Sunday    Schools,    150;    teachers    and   ^fH  e 's     j  T  i 
^hc^ars    8,029;  collected   for  nnssions,  .1,164.18;  for  nirp^;!' 

$22,4/4.00;  preachers'  salaries,  S10,201.04.  P^^poses, 

Appointed:    Churchville,  A.   M.   Evers;  West   Au-usta    N    A 

i^:uTc 'm'Tu ^;-/-f-^^^^^-^^^  ^^-^^^-»^e. M. A. s;dt  D^^^tci; 

s  a    on,  (..  M    Hott;  Dayton,  J.  W.  Funk;  Lacey  Spring,  A.  Hoover- 
^M.chson  mission,  A.  M.  Horn;  Port  Republic  and  Lur^y,  H    Jones! 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


281 


East  Rockingham  mission,  J.  W.  Maiden;  Edinburg.  J.  W.  Hicks; 
Winchester,  J.  E.  Widmeyer;  Nelson  mission,  to  be  supplied;  Rock- 
ingham  Freedmen's   mission,   to  be   supplies;   Augusta   Freedmen's 
mission,  to  be  supplied;  Boonsboro,  .1.  L.  Grim;  Keedysville  station, 
M.  F.  Keiter;  Hagerstown.  J.  Ruebush;  Hagerstown  station,  E.  Lud- 
wick;  Myersville,  C.  H.  Crowell;  Mechanicstown,  W.  ().  Grim;  Fred- 
erick station,  C.  W.  Stinespring;  ()pe(iu()n,  J.  W.  Kiracofe;  Martins- 
burg  station,   I.  M.   Underwood;  Berkeley  mission,  C.  W.  Hutzler; 
Clarke  mission,  J.  M.  Hott;  New  Haven  mission.  J.  A.  Negley;  Win- 
chester station,  J.  W.  Ridenour;  Bloomery,  J.  M.  Roderick:  Berke- 
ley  Spring,  .1.  W.   Howe;   Mooreheld   mission.  W.   Hesse;   Franklin 
circuit,  W.  H.  Sampsell;  North  Fork,  J.  M.  Bolton;  South  B'tmch, 
\\.  R.  Berry;   New   Creek,   S.    K.   Wine;   Alleghany,   W.   H.   Clary; 
Garrett,  J.  G.  Ketterman;  bishop  East   District,  .1.  J.  Cdossbrenner; 
e<litor  Telescope,  J.  W.  Hott;  missionary  to  Africa,  J.  A.  Evans. 

1 882 

Conference  at  Dayton,  Va.,  March  8. 

John  Dickson,  Jacob  J.  Glossbrenner,  bishops;  A.  P.  Funkhouser. 
J.  R.  Ridenour,  secretaries. 

Present:  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  A.  M.  Evers,  J.  W.  Hott,  W.  H. 
Burtner,  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  C.  1.  B.  Brane,  J.  W.  Ridenour.  J.  N. 
Fries,  A.  Hoover,  (i.  Harman.  J.  M.  Hott.  .1.  E.  Widmeyer,  W.  \\. 
Berry,  S.  H.  Snell.  .1.  G.  Ketterman,  W.  L.  Martin,  W.  O.  Fries,  P.  J. 
Lawrence.  J.  S.  Grim,  J.  W.  Howe.  .1.  W.  Kiracofe,  D.  D.  Keedy, 
J.  W\  Funk,  M.  F.  Keiter.  .1.  F  Hott.  C.  W.  Stinesoring.  (\.  J.  Rouda- 
bush,  W.  Lutz.  J.  E.  Hott,  C.  W.  Hutzler,  J.  H.  Parlett,  M.  A.  Salt, 
A.  M.  Horn.  W.  H.  Sampsell,  .1.  M.  Bolton.  J.  A.  Ne-ley,  W.  .1.  Mdler, 
J.  K.  Nelson.  W.  ().  Grim.  ,1.  Zarman,  C.  M.  Hott,  H.  Jones,  J.  D. 
Freed,  I.  T.  Parlett.  G.  Hotfman.  J.  I).  Donovan,  S.  K.  Wine,  C.  H. 
Crowell,  E.  Eudwick,  W.  Hesse,  J.  W.  Hicks,  C.  P.  Dyche,  L.  O. 
Burtner,  W.  H.  Clary— 55. 

Absent:  1).  Barnhart.  J.  S.  Grim,  (i.  W.  Howe,  B.  F.  Cronise, 
G.  P.  Hott,  M.  L.  Mayselles,  J.  A.  Evans,  1.  T.  Hott,  C.  Miller,  J.  W^ 
Nihiser,  S.  Scott,  I.  M. Underwood,  J.  M.  P.odruck,  P.  H.  Thomas, 
J.  Ruebush,  G.  W.  Rexrode,  Z.  Umstot,  J.  Zahn— 18. 

Visiting   ministers:      Pres.    D.    D.   DeLong,    G.    II.   Snapp,   .1.    X. 

Quigley,  W.  J.  Zuck. 

Licentiates:    L.  O.  Burtner,  P.  J.  Lawrence. 

Transferred:    1.  T.  Hott. 

Collection  for  needy  preachers,  $50.01. 

Preachers  Aid  Fund,  $1,732.84. 

Died:  John  Ruebush,  John  Zahn,  William  R.  Coursey.   Memorial 
services  for  each. 

Ordained:    C.  H.  Crowell. 


282 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Presiding  elders:   J.  W.  Funk,  (Shen.  Dist.),  J.  W.  Howe,  (Poto- 
nijjc  Dist.),  J.  K.  Nelson,  (South  Branch  Dist.). 

Appointments,  269;  organized  churches,  198:  members  received, 
1,088:  at  end  of  year,  8,554;  Telescopes,  761;  meeting  houses,  115; 
parsonage,  10;  value  of  meeting  houses,  .^118,751;  of  parsonages', 
$8,750;  Sunday  Schools.  169;  teachers  and  officers,  1,386;  scholars] 
8.680;  collected  for  missions,  -SI, 173. 13;  for  all  purposes,  822,776.42; 
preachers'  salaries,  .'>9,340.43. 

Appointed:    Chnrchville  station,  C.  W.  Stinespring;  Augusta.  G. 
J.  Roudabush;  West  Augusta,  J.  M.  Bolton;  Rockbridge,  M.  A.  Salt; 
Dayton   station.   G.  P.  Hott;   Dayton,  J.  E.  Hott;   Lacey  Spring,  a'. 
Hoover;  Elkton,  W.  H.  Sampsell;  South  River  mission,  X.  A.  Kira- 
cofe;  Madison  mission,  X.  F.  A.  Cupp;  Edinburg,  .1.  W.  Hicks:  Toms 
Brook,   S.   H.   Snell;   Winchester   mission,   J.   E.   Widmeyer;    Front 
Royal   mission,   H.  .Tones;   Rockingham   Freedmen's   mission,   to   be 
supplied;  Augusta  Freedmen's  mission,  to  be  supplied;  Rroonsboro, 
C.  M.  Hott;   Keedysville,  M.   F.   Keiter;  Myersville,   C.  H.   Crowell;' 
Hagerstown.    1.   M.   l^nderwood;   Hagerstown    station,   E.    Ludwick; 
Frederick,  ,1.  1).  Freed;  Frederick  mission,  A.  M.  Evers;  Williams- 
port  station,  J.  W.   Kiracofe;  Martinsburg  station,  .1.  D.   Donovan; 
Berkeley  mission,  C.  W.  Hutzler;  Xew  Haven  mission,  J.  A.  Xegley; 
Vanclevesville,   W.   B.    Evers;    Winchester    station,    C.     P.     Dyche; 
Clarke  mission,  W.   L.  Martin;   Berkeley   Springs,  ,1.   R.  Rirlenour; 
Bloomery,  J.  M.  Hott;  Xorth  River  mission,  to  be  supplied;  Moo^e- 
field  mission,  W.  Hesse;  Franklin,  A.  M.  Horn;  Xorth  Fork,  to  be 
supplied;  South  Rranch,  S.   K.  Wine;  Xew  Creek,  .1.  M.  Rodruck- 
Alleghany.  W.  H.  Clary;  Garrett,  J.  (i.  Ketterman;  bishop  Ohio  Dis- 
trict,  J.   J.    Glossbrenner;    editor     Telescope,    .[.     W.     Hott;     agent 
Lebanon   Valley  College,   D.  D.   Keedy;   agent   V.   B.   Seminary,'' W. 
().   Grim;   agent    Conference    Institution    of   Learning,   A.   P.   Funk- 
houser. 


1883 

Conference  at  Hagerstown,  Md.,  March  7. 

.John  Dickson,  bishop;  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  J.  R.  Ridenour,  secre- 
taries. 

Present:  D.  Barnhart.  W.  H.  Burtner,  C.  H.  Crowell,  C.  P.  Dyche 
J.  W.  Funk,  J.  S.  (irim,  W.  Hesse,  A.  M.  Horn,  J.  E.  Hott,  H.  .Jones' 
J.  G.  Ketterman,  P.  ,J.  Lawrence,  J.  A.  Xeglev,  .1.  R.  Ridenour  g' 
^^.  Rexrode,  S.  H.  Snell,  I.  M.  Underwood,  J.  Zerman,  W.  R  Berry 
^^.  H.  Clary,  Albert  Day,  A.  M.  Evers,  A.  P.  Funkhouser  W  o' 
Grim,  ,L  W.  Hicks,  C.  M.  Hott,  J.  W.  Hott,  .L  W.  Howe,  D  d'  Keedv' 
J.  W.  Kiracofe,  W.  L.  Martin,  J.  K.  Xelson,  J.  M.  Rodruck  M  \' 
Salt,  C.  W.  Stinespring,  J.  E.  Widmeyer,  C.  L  B.  Brane  B  f' 
Cronise,  J.  D.  Donovan,  J.  X.  Fries.  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  J.  Harp  \' 
Hoover,   G.  P.  Hott,  J.  M.   Hott,   C.  W.   Hutzler,   M.   F    Keiter    E^ 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


283 


Ludwick,  M.  L.  Mayselles,  J.  H.  Parlett,  G.  J.  Roudabush,  W.  11. 
Sampsell,  P.  H.  Thomas,  S.  K.  Wine — .55. 

Absent:  J.  M.  Bolton,  J.  D.  Freed,  G.  W.  Howe,  C.  Miller.  .L  \V. 
Miller,  J.  W.  Xihiser,  Z.  Umstot,  L.  O.  Burtner,  W.  O.  Fries.  G. 
HofTman,  J.  W.  Miller,  1.  T.  Parlett,  J.  A.  Evans,  G  .Harman,  W. 
Lutz,  .J.  W.  Miller,  S.  Scott— 15. 

Visiting  ministers:  E.  P.  Funk.  J.  B.  Funk,  J.  L.  (^rim.  .1.  X. 
Quigley,  .1.  W.  Grim,  .1.  K.  Billhimer,  C.  T.  Steam,  ,1.  W  Miller, 
B.  G.  Huber,  W.  A.  Dickson,  C.  A.  Burtner,  C.  W.  Bingham,  Mrs. 
L.  B.  Kiester. 

Committee  in  Albin  will  case:   J.  W.  Howe,  .1.  W.  Funk.  11.  .tones. 

Licentiate:    Albert  Day. 

Ordained:  A.  M.  Horn,  S.  H.  Snell,  J.  M.  Hott,  M.  A.  Salt.  W. 
Hesse,  G.  P.  Hott. 

Transferred:    D.  Barnhart,  C.  W.  Hutzler,  W.  0.  Grim. 

Preachers   Aid   Fund,   "^l. 895.44. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  J.  W.  Funk,  committee 
on  the  troubles  at  Rohrersville,  growing  out  of  the  administra- 
tion of  the  secrecy  law  by  M.  F.  Keiter,  accepted  as  satisfactory 
by  both  parties,  and  adopted  by  conference. 

Presiding  elders:  J.  W.  Howe,  (Potomac  Dist.),  .1.  W.  Funk. 
(Shen.  Dist.),  J.  K.  Xelson,  (South  Branch  Dist.). 

Appointments,  2.30;  organized  churches,  196;  members  received, 
1,062;  at  end  of  year  8,867;  Telescopes.  817;  meeting  houses,  117; 
value,  .'1^114,649;  parsonages,  10;  value,  $11,345;  Sunday  Schools, 
154;  teachers  and  officers,  1,283;  scholars,  7,975;  collected  for  mis- 
sions, $1,248.10;  for  all  purposes,  $28,190.()();  salaries  of  preachers, 
$12,107.73. 

Appointed:  Boonsboro,  C  M.  Hott;  Keedysville  station,  .1.  F,. 
Ridenour;  Hagerstown,  1.  M.  Underwood;  Hagerstown  station,  S. 
H.  Snell;  Myersville,  C  H.  (]rowell;  Mechanicstown,  W.  H.  P>erry; 
Frederick,  J.  D.  Freed;  Frederick  station,  A.  M.  Evers;  Potomac, 
.1.  W.  Kiracofe;  Martinsburg  station,  M.  F.  Keiter;  Clarke  mission, 
W.  L.  Martin;  Vancleavesville,  W.  B.  Evers;  Churchville.  (].  W. 
Stinespring;  Augusta,  A.  P.  Funkhouser;  Rockbridge,  L.  O.  Burtner; 
Dayton,  J.  E.  Hott;  Dayton  station,  (i.  P.  Hott;  Lacey  Spring.  A. 
Hoover;  Elkton,  G.  J.  Roudabush;  Madison,  X.  F.  A.  Cupp;  South 
River  mission,  X.  A.  Kiracofe;  Edinburg,  J.  W.  Hicks,  and  one  to 
be  supplied;  Winchester  mission,  J.  E.  Widmeyer;  Front  Royal,  M. 
A.  Salt;  Winchester  station,  C.  P.  Dyche;  Bloomery  circuit  and 
North  River  mission.  .1.  M.  Hott.  P.  J.  Lawrence;  Berkeley  Springs. 
E.  Ludwick;  Lost  River  mission,  J.  G.  Ketterman;  Franklin  circuit 
and  North  Fork  mission,  A.  M.  Horn  and  one  to  be  supplied;  South 
Branch,  W.  H.  Sampsell;  Xew  Creek,  J.  M.  Roderick;  Alleghany,  W. 
Hess;  Elk  Garden  mission,  W.  H.  Clary;  Garrett  mission,  E.  A. 
Pugh;  Berkeley  mission,  J.  A.  Xegley;  bishop  Ohio  District.  .1.  .1. 


284 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Glossbrenner;   editor  Telescope,  J.  W.   Hott;   evangelist   at   large, 
J.  D.  Donovan. 

1884 

Conference  at  Lacey  Spring,  Va,  March  5. 

John  Dickson,  bishop;  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  G.  P.  liott,  secretaries. 

Present:  \V.  R.  Berry,  L.  O.  Burtner,  A.  Day,  .1.  X.  Fries,  A.  P. 
Funkhouser,  G.  Harman,  J.  W.  Hicks,  J.  E.  Hott,  J.  \V.  Howe,  M.  F. 
Keiter,  P.  J.  Lawrence,  W.  J.  Miller,  I.  T.  Parlett,  G.  J.  Roudabush, 
\V.  H.  Sampsell,  I.  M.  Underwood,  C.  I.  B.  Brane,  W.  H.  Clary,  C.  P. 
Dyche,  J.  D.  Freed,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  J.  Harp,  A.  M.  Horn,  ,1.  W. 
Hott,  H.  Jones,  J.  (i.  Ketterman,  W.  L.  Martin,  ,1.  K.  Nelson,  J.  R. 
Ridenour,  G.  W.  Rexrode,  S.  H.  Snell,  S.  K.  Wine,  W.  H.  Burtner, 
C.  H.  Crowell,  A.  M.  Evers,  J.  W.  Funk,  J.  S.  Grim,  W.  Hesse, 
C.  M.  Hott,  G.  P.  Hott,  D.  D.  Keedy,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  M.  L.  May- 
selles,  J.  H.  Parlett,  J.  M.  Roderick,  M.  A.  Salt,  C.  W.  Stinespring, 
J.  Zernian — 49. 

Absent:  J.  M.  Bolton,  J.  A.  Evans.  J.  F.  Hott,  E.  Ludwick,  J.  A. 
Negley.  P.  H.  Thomas,  B.  F.  Cronise,  W.  O.  Fries,  G.  W.  How^e, 
W.  Lutz,  J.  \V.  Nihiser,  J.  D.  Donovan,  A.  Hoover,  G.  Hoffman,  C. 
Miller,  S.  Scott— 17. 

Visiting  ministers:  D.  K.  Flickinger,  J.  Dickson,  J.  X.  Quigley, 
G.  H.  Snapp,  D.  D.  DeLong. 

Died:  Zimri  I'mstot,  aged  about  43;  Joseph  E.  Widmeyer, 
aged  26. 

Voted  to  purchase  Shenandoah  Seminary.  Trustees  and  agent 
chosen. 

Ordained:    W.  L.  Martin. 

Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  §2,109.07. 

Resolutions  adopted  relative  to  Senator  G.  B.  Keezel's  letter  to 
the  State  Superintendent  of  Public   Instruction. 

Appointments,  221;  organized  churches,  188;  members  received, 
1,045;  at  end  of  year,  8,975;  Telescopes,  850;  meeting  houses,  llO 
value,  $122,374;  parsonage,  11,  value,  $12,055;  Sunchiy  Schools,  152 
teachers  and  ofTicers,  1,324;  scholars.  8,226;  collpcted  for  missions 
$1,295.2<S;   for  all  purposes,  .$29,209.48;  salaries  of  preachers,  $10,- 
903.81. 

Presiding  elders:  J.  \V.  Howe  (Shen.  Dist.),  C.  M.  Hott,  (Poto- 
mac Dist.),  J.  K.  Nelson,  (South  Branch  Dist.). 

Appointed:  (]hurchville,  J.  \V.  Hicks;  Augusta,  S.  K.  Wine; 
Rockbridge,  A.  S.  Castle;  Dayton  station,  G.  P.  Hott;  Dayton,  G.  J. 
Roudabush;  Lacey  Springs,  J.  W.  Funk;  Elkton,  J.  M.  Hott;  Madi- 
son, to  be  supplied;  South  River  mission,  N.  A.  Kiracofe;  Edinburg, 
J.  E.  Hott,  and  one  to  be  supplied;  Winchester  mission,  A.  M.  Horn; 
Front  Royal  mission,  to  be  supplied;  Singers  Glen,  N.  F.  A.  Cupp; 
Freedmen's    mission,    T.    K.    ClitTord;    Boonsboro,    C.    H.    Crowell; 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


285 


Keedysville,  J.  R.  Ridenour;  Hagerstown,  W.  R.  Berry;  Hagers- 
town  station,  W.  O.  Fries;  Myersville,  I.  M.  Underwood;  Mechanics- 
town,  W.  L.  Martin;  Frederick,  S.  H.  Snell;  Frederick  station,  A. 
M.  Evers,  Potomac,  J.  W.  Kiracofe;  Martinsburg  station,  M.  F. 
Keiter;  (>larke  mission,  J.  H.  Parlett;  Fauquier  mission,  to  be  sup- 
plied by  P.  E.;  Winchester  station,  C.  P.  Dyche;  Bloomery,  P.  J. 
Lawrence;  North  River  mission,  to  be  supplied;  Berkeley  Springs, 
J.  D.  Donovan;  Lost  River  mission,  J.  G.  Ketterman;  Franklin, 
W.  S.  Rau;  North  Fork  mission,  A.  Day;  South  Branch,  J.  M. 
Roderick;  New  Creek,  W.  H.  Sampsell;  Alleghany,  W.  Hesse;  Elk 
Garden  mission,  W.  H.  (^lary;  (iiirrett  mission,  E.  A.  Pugh;  Rerke- 
ley  mission,  J.  A.  Negley;  bishop  Ohio  District,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner; 
Editor  Telescope,  J.  W.  Hott;  agent  Lebanon  Valley  College,  I).  D. 
Keedy;  Principal  Shenandoah  Seminary,  J.  N.  Fries;  missionary 
to  west  coast  Africa,  J.  A.  Evans;  agent  for  Conference  scliool, 
Henry  Jones. 

1885 


Conference  at  Frederick,  Md.,  March  5. 

John  Dickson,  bishop;  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  G.  P.  Hott,  secretaries. 

Present:  W.  R.  Berry,  W.  H.  Clary,  C.  P.  Dyche,  .1.  D.  Freed, 
J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  J.  W.  Hicks,  G.  P.  Hott,  J.  W.  Howe,  J.  \V.  Kira- 
cofe, W.  L.  Martin,  J.  K.  Nelson,  J.  M.  Boderick,  W.  H.  Sampsell, 

C.  I.  B.  Brane,  C.  H.  Crowell,  A.  M.  Horn,  J.  W.  Funk,  J.  H.  Rau, 
J.  E.  Hott,  H.  Jones,  M.  L.  Mayselles,  J.  H.  Parlett,  G.  J.  Roudabush, 
S.  H.  Snell,  L.  O.  Burtner,  A.  Day,  J.  N.  Fries,  A.  P.  Funkhouser, 
W\  Hesse,  C.  M.  Hott,  J.  W.  Hott,  D.  D.  Keedy,  P.  J.  Lawrence, 
W\  J.  Miller,  J.  R.  Ridenour,  M.  A.  Salt,  C.  W.  Stinespring,  L  M. 
Underwood,  W.  O.  Fries,  W.  S.  Rau,  J.  D.  Donovan,  J.  E.  B.  Rice, 
S.  K.  Wine,  H.  H.  Font,  S.  D.  Skelton,  A.  Hoover,  ,1.  Zerman,  J.  A. 
Negley,  R.  Byrd,  E.  Ludwick — 53. 

Absent:  J.  M.  Bolton,  (1.  W.  Howe,  C.  Miller,  P.  H.  Thomns,  .1.  S. 
Grim,  B.  F.  Cronise,  G.  Hoffman,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  \V.  H.  Burtner, 
G.  Harman,  J.  A.  Evans,  W.  Lutz,  S.  Scott,  M.  F.  Keiter,  G.  \V. 
Rexrode — 15. 

Visiting  ministers:  W.  J.  Shuey,  J.  X.  Quigley,  Z.  C.  Mower, 
J.  L.  Grim,   C.  A.  Burtner,   S.   R.   Gipple,   D.   Speck,   C.   T.   Stearn, 

D.  D.  DeLong. 

Licentiates:  R.  Byrd,  S.  D.  Skelton,  H.  H.  Font,  J.  E.  B.  Rice, 
N.  F.  A.  Cupp,  W.  S.  Rau. 

Died:    Jacob  F.  Hott,  aged  62;  J.  G.  Ketterman,  aged  50. 

Open  transfers  to  C.  W.  Stinespring,  J.  1).  Freed,  E.  Ludwick, 
M.  A.  Salt. 

Ordained:  W.  0.  Fries,  C.  P.  Dyche,  W.  H.  Sampsell,  P.  J. 
Lawrence,  W.  H.  Clary. 

Collected  on  Albin  fund,  $1,628.55. 


286 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


287 


Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  J?2,073.44. 

Appointments,  220;  organized  churches,  191;  members  received. 
983;  at  end  of  year,  9,221;  Telescopes,  787;  meeting  houses,  188, 
value,  $129,690;  parsonages,  12,  value,  $12,224;  Sunday  Schools, 
165;  teachers  and  officers,  1,561;  scholars,  9,073;  collected  for  mis- 
sions, $1,194.56;  for  all  purposes,  $32,516.78;  preachers'  salaries, 
$11,270.15. 

Presiding  elders:  C.  M.  Hott,  (Potomac  Dist.),  C.  I.  B.  Brane, 
(Shen.  Dist.K  J.  W.  Howe. 

Appointed:  Boonsboro,  C.  H.  Crowell;  Keedysville  station.  .T.  K. 
Nelson;  Hagerstown,  W.  H.  Berry;  Hagerstown  station,  W.  O, 
Fries;  Myersville,  I.  M.  I'nderwood;  Mechanicstown,  W.  L.  Martin; 
Frederick,  S.  H.  Snell;  Frederick  station,  A.  M.  Evers;  Potomnc, 
H.  H.  Font;  Martinsburg  station.  J.  H.  Ridenour;  Clarke  mission, 
J.  E.  B.  Rice;  Churchville,  S.  K.  Wine;  Augusta,  C.  P.  Dyche;  P.ock- 
bridge,  R.  Byrd;  Dayton.  H.  .lones;  Dayton  station,  ,1.  W.  Howe; 
Lacey  Spring  station.  .1.  W.  Funk;  Elkton,  J.  M.  Hott;  Madison, 
J.  \\\  Maiden  (by  P.  E.);  South  River  mission,  .1.  M.  Bolton;  Edin- 
burg.  J.  E.  Hott;  Toms  Brook  mission,  P.  J.  Lawrence;  Winchester, 
A.  M.  Horn;   Front   Royal   mission.   I.  T.   Parlett:   Singers   (den,  N. 

F.  A.  (Aipp;  Freeden's  mission,  T.  K.  ClifTord;  Winchester  station, 

G.  P.  Hott;  Bloomery.  W.  Hesse;  Morgan,  M.  L.  Mayselles;  Berke- 
ley mission,  ,1.  A.  Negley;  Petersburg,  to  be  supplied;  North  Fork 
mission,  (i.  Harman;  Westernport  mission,  W.  H.  Clary;  Lost 
River  mission,  N.  A.  Kiracofe;  Franklin,  W.  S.  Rau;  South  Branch, 
,L  M.  Roderick;  New  Creek,  W.  H.  Sampsell;  Alleghany,  A.  Day; 
Elk  (iarden,  A.  S.  Castle;  Carrett  mission,  E.  A.  Pugh;  Rerkeley 
Springs,  J.  D.  Donovan;  bishop  Ohio  District,  J.  J.  Clossbrenner; 
editor  Telescope,  J.  W.  Hott;  agent  Shenandoah  Institute,  .1.  N, 
Fries;  missionary  in  Africa,  J.  A.  Evans. 

1886 

Conference  at  Berkeley  Springs,  W.  Va.,  March  3. 

John  Dickson,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  W.  L.  Martin,  secretaries. 

Present:  W.  R.  Berry,  C.  H.  Crowell,  A.  M.  Evers,  J.  J.  Cdoss- 
brenner,  A.  M.  Horn,  .1.  W.  Hott,  H.  .lones,  P.  .1.  Lawrence.  W.  .L 
Miller,  J.  R.  Ridenour,  W.  H.  Sampsell,  S.  K.  Wine,  J.  A.  Negley, 
J.  I).  Donovan,  J.  W.  Nihiser,  G.  W.  Rexrode,  C.  I.  B.  Brane,  A.  Day, 
J.  N.  Fries,  J.  Harp,  C.  M.  Hott,  J.  E.  Hott,  D.  D.  Keedy,  W.  L. 
Martin,  J.  K.  Nelson,  J.  M.  Roderick,  S.  H  Snell,  W.  O.  Fries,  S.  D. 
Skelton,  J.  E.  B.  Rice,  S.  Scott,  N.  A.  Kiracofe,  N.  F.  A.  Cupp, 
\\.  H.  Clary,  C.  P.  Dyche,  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  J.  W.  Hicks,  G.  P.  Hott, 
J.  W.  Howe,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  M.  L.  Mayselles,  I.  T.  Parlett,  G.  J. 
Roudabush,  I.  M.  Underwood,  H.  H.  Fout,  R.  Byrd,  J.  M.  Bolton, 
M.  F.  Keiter,  A.  S.  Hammack,  G.  B.  Fadeley — 50. 


Absent:  L.  O.  Burtner,  J.  H  Parlett,  B.  F.  Cronise,  G.  Hoff- 
man, P.  H.  Thomas,  G.  Harman,  J.  D.  Freed,  W.  S.  Rau,  J.  A.  Evans, 
W.  Lutz,  W.  H.  Burtner,  J.  M.  Hott,  A,  Hoover,  G.  W.  Howe,  C 
Miller,  J.  S.  Grim— 16. 

Visiting  ministers:  D.  R.  Miller,  Z.  Warner,  J.  P.  Miller,  L. 
W.  Stahl. 

Licentiates:  N.  A.  Kiracofe,  G.  B.  Fadeley,  A.  S.  Castle,  A.  S. 
Hanmiack,  A.  N.  Horn. 

Transfers  to  J  .W.  Funk,  W.  Hesse. 

Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  $2,011.67. 

Died:   Jacob  Zerman,  aged  71. 

Ordained:    Albert  Day,  J.  M.  Bolton. 

Resolutions  adopted  against  a  division  of  the  Conference,  as 
proposed  by  the  last  (General  Conference. 

Transfer  of  G.  J.  Roudabush  returned. 

Appointments,  216;  organized  churches,  168;  members  received, 
1,105;  at  end  of  year,  9,422;  Telescopes,  497;  meeting  houses,  122; 
value,  $131,796;  parsonages,  13,  value,  .$1.3,439;  Sunday  Schools', 
163;  teachers  and  officers,  1,423;  scholars,  9,189;  collected  for  mis- 
sions, $1,003.81;  for  all  purposes,  $24,150.74;  salaries  of  ministers, 
$10,872.61. 

Presiding  elders:  A.  M.  Evers,  (Potomac  Dist.),  J.  W.  Howe, 
(Shen.  Dist.),  J.  W.  Hicks,  (South  Branch  Dist.). 

Appointed:  Boonsboro,  C.  M.  Hott;  Keedysville  station,  J.  K. 
Nelson;  Hagerstown,  S.  H.  Snell;  Hagerstown  station,  C.  1.  B. 
Brane;  Myersville,  I.  M.  Underwood;  Mechanicstown,  (i.  J.  Rouda- 
bush; Frederick,  W.  L.  Martin;  Frederick  station,  W.  O.  Fries; 
Potomac,  H.  H.  Fout;  Martinsburg  station,  J.  R.  Ridenour;  Rerke- 
ley,  J.  D.  Freed;  Vancleavesville,  to  be  supplied;  Churchville,  S. 
K.  Wine;  Augusta,  C.  P.  Dyche;  Rockbridge,  R.  Byrd;  Dayton,  H. 
Jones;  Dayton  station,  A.  P.  Funkhouser;  Lacey  Spring  station, 
J.  D.  Donovan;  Elkton,  J.  M.  Hott;  Madison,  W.  S.  Rau;  Cross, 
W.  H.  Sampsell;  Edinburg,  C.  H.  Crowell,  and  one  to  be  supplied; 
Winchester,  J.  E.  Hott;  Winchester  station,  G.  P.  Hott;  Front 
Royal  mission,  J.  A.  Negley;  Singers  Glen,  J.  E.  B.  Rice;  Freedmen's 
mission,  T.  K.  Clifford;  Rloomery,  G.  B.  Fadeley;  Franklin,  N.  F.  A. 
Cupp;  North  Fork  mi.ssion,  S.  Scott;  Westernport  station,  J.  M. 
Bolton;  Lost  River  mission,  N.  A.  Kiracofe;  South  Branch,  P.  J. 
Lawrence;  New  Creek,  W.  H.  Clary;  Lonaconing,  N.  H.  Meese; 
Deer  Park  mission,  A.  Day;  Elk  Garden,  S.  A.  Castle;  Garrett,  E.  A. 
Pugh;  Berkeley  Springs,  W.  R.  Berry;  bishop  emeritus,  J.  J.  Closs- 
brenner; editor  Telescope,  J.  W.  Hott;  Principal  Shenandoah  Insti- 
tute, J.  N.  Fries;  missionary  in  Africa,  J.  A.  Evans. 


288 


UNITED    BHETHHEX 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


289 


1887 

Conference  nt  Keedysville,  Md.,  March  2. 

Jonathan  Wea<'er,  hishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  W.  L.  Martin,  secretaries. 

Visiting  ministers:  L.  \V.  Stahl,  \V.  McKee,  D.  R.  Miller,  J.  P. 
Miller,  Burkholder,  J.  L.  Grim,  C.  W.  Stinespring,  R.  Cow- 
den,  J.  X.  Quigley,  H.  C.  Deaner,  T.  F.  Bushong,  H.  A.  Schlicter. 

Licentiates:   W.  F.  Griiver,  (ieorge  M.  Griiher,  T.  K.  ClitTord. 

In  treasury,  $1,763.01. 

Conference   Educational   Fund,   $469.78. 

Of  the  Maryland  District,  ci^ht  out  of  nine  (piarterly  confer- 
ences voted  for  the  establishing  of  the  Maryland  Conference, 
which  was  accordingly  formed. 

Ordained:  X.  F.  A.  Cupp,  S.  D.  Skelton,  J.  E.  B.  Rice,  H.  H.  Font, 
M.  L.  Mayselles,  R.  Byrd. 

Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  S;2,009.22. 

Mission   opened   in   Staunton   and   pastor  appointed. 

Died:    J.  J.  Glossbrenner. 

Conference  funds  divided,  except  Albin  will  fund,  so  as  to  give 
seven-tenths  to  Virginia,  three-  tenths  to  Maryland. 

Appointments,  213:  organized  churches,  190;  members  received, 
1,126;  at  end  of  year,  9,663;  Telescopes,  536;  meeting  houses,  126, 
value,  .S146,616;  parsonages,  12,  value,  .$13,138;  collected  for  mis- 
sions, $1,095.56;  for  all  purposes,  $24,639.31;  ministers'  salaries,. 
$11,018.39. 

The  following  members  went  to  the  Maryland  Conference:  .1. 
M.  Bolton,  C.  1.  B.  Brane,  A.  S.  Castle,  B.  F.  Cronise,  A.  M.  Evers^ 
H.  H.  Fout,  \V.  ().  Fries,  J.  S.  Grim,  G.  M.  Gruber,  J.  Harp,  ,1.  \V. 
Hicks,  A.  X.  Horn,  C.  M.  Hott,  D.  I).  Keedy,  X.  A.  Kiracofe,  ,J.  W. 
Kiracofe,  W.  L.  Martin.  J.  K.  Xelson,  G.  J.  Roudabush,  S.  H.  Snell, 
S.  K.  Wine— 21. 

The  following  went  to  the  Virginia  Conference:  \V.  R.  Berry, 
W.  H.  Burtner,  L.  O.  Burtner,  R.  Byrd,  W.  H.  Clary,  T.  K.  Clifford, 
C.  H.  Crowell,  X.  F.  A.  (Aipp,  J.  D.  Donovan,  C.  P.  Dyche,  ,1.  A. 
Evans,  G.  B.  Fadeley,  J.  N.  Fries,  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  W.  F.  Gruver, 
A.  S.  Hammack,  George  Harman,  George  Hotlman,  A.  Hoover, 
A.  M.  Horn,  J.  M.  Hott,  G.  P.  Hott,  J.  W.  Howe,  G.  \V.  Howe,  H. 
.Jones,  M.  ¥.  Keiter,  P.  J.  Lawrence,  William  Lutz,  M.  L.  Mayselles, 
W.  J.  Miller,  Charles  Miller,  J.  A.  Xegley,  J.  W^  Xihiser,  I.  T.  Par- 
lett,  J.  H.  Parlett,  G.  W.  Rexrode,  J.  E.  B.  Rice,  J.  H.  Ridenour, 
.1.  ^L  Roderick,  W.  H.  Sampsell,  S.  Scott,  S.  D.  Skelton,  P.  H. 
Thomas,  I.  M.  Underwood — 46. 

Presiding  elders:  C.  P.  Dyche,  (Shen.  Dist.),  C.  H.  CrowelL 
(Winchester  Dist.),  A.  M.  Evers,   (Md.  Conf.), 

Appointed  (Va.) :  Edinburg,  I.  M.  Underwood;  Lacey  Spring, 
J.  D.  Donovan;  Dayton,  R.  Byrd;  Dayton  station,  A.  P.  Funkhouser; 


Augusta,  J.  M.  Hott;  Church ville,  J.  E.  B.  Rice;  Rockbridge,  S.  D, 
Skelton;   Luray  mission,  to  be   suppjied;   Madison,   G.  H.   Snapp; 

Cross  Keys,  W.  H.  Sampsell;  Front  Royal,  Walters;  Singers 

Glen,  W.  F.  Gruver;  Elkton,  G.  B.  Fadeley;  Freedmen's  mission,. 
T.  K.  Clifford;  Winchester  station,  G.  P.  Hott;  Bloomery,  .1.  M. 
Roderick;  Franklin,  X.  F.  A.  Cupp;  North  Fork,  G.  W.  Rexroad; 
Lost  River  mission,  J.  A.  Xegley;  South  Branch,  W.  D.  Barger; 
Xew  Creek,  W.  H.  Clary;  Berkeley  Springs,  W^  R.  Berry;  Van- 
cleavesville,  W^  B.  Evers;  Martinsburg  station,  J.  R.  Ridenour; 
Berkeley,  J.  D.  Freed;  Winchester,  J.  E.  Hott;  Hartmansville  mis- 
sion, to  be  supplied;  editor  Telescope,  J.  W.  Hott;  principal  Shen- 
andoah Institute,  J.  X.  Fries;  missionary  in  Africa,  J.  A.  Evans. 

Appointed  (Md.) :  Alleghany,  A.  M.  Horn;  Locaconing,  M.  H. 
Meese;  Westernport  station,  P.  J.  Lawrence;  Keedysville  station, 
S.  H.  Snell;  Boonsboro,  C.  M.  Hott;  Hagerstown,  J.  K.  Xelson; 
Hagerstown  station,  C.  I.  B.  Brane;  Potomac,  X.  A.  Kiracofe; 
Myersville,  J.  W.  Hicks;  Mechanicsville,  G.  J.  Roudabush;  Fred- 
erick, W.  L.  Martin;  Frederick  station,  S.  K.  Wine;  principal  West 
Virginia  Academy,  W^  O.  Fries. 

1888 

Conference  at  Dayton,  Va.,  March  4. 

E.  B.  Kephart,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  secretaries. 

Visiting  ministers:  M.  O.  Lane,  J.  M.  Lesher,  D.  D.  Keedy,  E.  S. 
Lorenz,  G.  H.  Snapp,  C.  M.  Hott,  S.  K.  Wine,  C.  P.  Doyle,  Mrs. 
L.  R.  Keister. 

Licentiates:   George  W.  Stover,  W.  P.  Bazzle. 

Died:  J.  M.  Rodruck,  aged  73. 

In  treasury,  $1,842.38. 

Ministerial   Benefit   Fund,   $1,465.65. 

Educational  Aid  Fund,  $381.10. 

Appointments,  159;  organized  churches,  138;  members  received, 
793;  at  end  of  year,  7,818;  Telescopes,  280;  meeting  houses,  100, 
value,  $82,305;  parsonages,  9,  value,  $7,203;  Sunday  Schools,  128; 
teachers  and  officers,  973;  scholars,  6,972;  collected  for  missions, 
$682.11;  for  all  purposes,  $17,324.69;  preachers'  salaries,  $6,870. 

Presiding  elders:  C.  H.  Crowell,  (Winchester  Dist.),  C.  P. 
Dyche,  (Shen.  Dist.). 

Appointed:  Hartmansville  mission,  W.  P.  Bazzle;  Berkeley, 
A.  M.  Horn;  W^inchester  station,  to  be  supplied;  Frederick,  W.  H. 
Sampsell;  Berkeley  Springs,  W.  R.  Berry,  South  Branch,  N.  F.  A. 
Cupp;  Martinsburg  station,  J.  R.  Ridenour;  Vancleavesville,  to  be 
supplied;  New  Creek,  W^  H.  Clary;  North  Fork,  G.  W.  Rexroad; 
Lost  River,  J.  A.  Negley;  Franklin,  to  be  supplied;  Bloomery,  E.  A. 
Pugh;  Front  Royal,  L.  C.  Frederick;  Churchvillc,  .1.  E.  B.  Rice; 
Lacey  Spring,  J.  D.  Donovan;  Edinburg,  I.  M.  Underwood;  Dayton 


290 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


station,  R.  Byrd;  Augusta,  J.  M.  Hott;  Staunton  station,  J.  W.  Howe; 
Elkton,  G.  R.  Fadeley;  Rockbridge,  S.  D.  Skelton;  Cross  Keys,  J.  E. 
Hott:  Madison  mission,  G.  H.  Snapp;  Fauquier  mission,  to  be  sup- 
plied; Freedmen's  mission,  T.  K.  Clifl'ord. 

1889 

Conference  at  Martinsburg,  \V.  Va.,  March  6. 

Nicholas  Castle,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  A.  P.  Funkhouser,  secre- 
taries. 

Visiting  ministers:  B.  F.  Rooth,  G.  H.  Snapp,  A.  M.  Evers,  M.  O. 
Lane,  C.  I.  R.  Brane,  C.  M.  Hott. 

Licentiates:  J.  C.  S.  Myers,  J.  R.  Chamberlain,  \V.  O.  Ewing, 
S.  L.  Rice,  E.  A.  Pugh. 

In  treasury,  .^L717.40. 

Died:  (leorge  Huffman,  Oct.  22,  1888,  aged  82;  P.  H.  Thomas. 
Feb.  U,  LS89,  aged  72. 

L.  0.  Rurtner  transferred  to  >Liryland  Conference. 

Appointments,  159:  organized  churches,  142;  members  received, 
515:  at  end  of  year,  7,159;  Telescopes,  ,301:  meeting  houses,  101, 
value,  s84,740;  parsonages,  8,  value,  $0,839.50;  Sunday  School,  112; 
teachers  and  oflicers,  840;  scholars,  6,488;  collected  for  missions, 
S647.00;  for  all  purposes,  $10,207.34;  preachers'  salaries,  $0,248,29. 

Presiding  elders:  C.  H.  Crowell,  (Winchester  Dist.),  C.  P. 
Dyche,  (Shen.  Dist.),. 

Appointed:  Hartmansville  mission,  E.  A.  Pugh;  Rerkeley,  A.  M. 
Horn;  fierkeley  Springs,  \V.  R.  Rerry;  Winchester  station,  ,L  R. 
Chamberlain;  Frederick,  W.  H.  Sampsell;  South  Rranch,  N.  F.  A. 
Cupp;  Martinsburg  station,  J.  R.  Ridenour;  Vancleavesville,  W.  O, 
Ewing;  New  Creek,  W.  H.  Clary;  Lost  River,  J.  A.  Negley;  Frank- 
lin, W.  P.  Razzle;  Rloomery,  P.  J.  Lawrence;  Front  Royal,  .1.  W. 
Walter;  Church ville,  J.  E.  R.  Rice;  Lacey  Spring,  W.  F.  Gruver; 
Edinburg,  R  .Ryrd;  Dayton,  I.  M.  Underwood;  Singers  Glen,  J.  D. 
Donovan;  Augusta,  S.  D.  Skelton;  Staunton  station,  J.  W.  Howe; 
Elkton,  G.  R.  Fadeley;  Rockbridge,  J.  M.  Hott;  Cross  Keys,  S.  L. 
Rice:  Madison  mission,  J.  W.  Maiden;  Fauquier  mission,  to  be  sup- 
plied;  Freedmen's  mission,  T.  K.  ClifVord. 

1890 

Conference  at  Winchester,  Va.,  March  5. 

Jonathan  Weaver,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  W.  R.  Rerry,  secretaries. 

Delegates  present:  P.  C.  Tutwiler,  Ryrd  Clapsaddle,  D.  W. 
Rreneman,  R.  E.  Donovan,  H.  H.  Hanger,  C.  W.  Jones,  Thomas 
Hancher,  J.  G.  Kitchen,  R.  F.  Long,  J.  Taylor,  D.  O.  Fout— 11. 

Visiting  ministers:  John  Hill,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  J.  K.  Nelson,  L.  0. 
Burtner,  G.  W.  Statton,  S.  H.  Snell,  C.  W.  Stinespring,  D.  D.  Keedy. 

In  treasury,  $1,702.92. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


291 


Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  $1,305.46. 

Educational  Aid  Fund,  $345.75. 

Licentiates:   J.  F.  Snyder,  R.  L.  Dorsey,  J.  E.  Fout. 

Ordained:    A.  S.  Hammack,  T.  K.  Clifford. 

Died:  Henry  Jones,  Aug.  23,  1889,  aged  52;  George  W.  Howe, 
Mar.  19,  1889,  aged  57. 

Appointments,  149;  organized  churches,  136;  members  received, 
595;  at  end  of  year,  7,309;  Sunday  Schools,  129;  teachers  and 
officers,  993;  scholars,  7,516;  churches,  101:  value,  $81,866:  par- 
sonages, 8,  value,  $5,691;  collected  for  missions,  $579.52;  for  all 
purposes,   $15,131.63;   preachers'  salaries,  $7,668.32. 

Presiding  elders:  C.  P.  Dyche,  (Shen.  Dist.),  C.  H.  Crowell, 
(Winchester  Dist.). 

Appointed:  Rockbridge.  J.  M.  Hott:  Staunton  mission  station, 
J.  D.  Dona  van;  Augusta,  S.  D.  Skelton:  North  Fork,  N.  A.  Kiracofe; 
Franklin,  J.  E.  Fout;  Singers  Glen,  J.  E.  Hott;  Church  ville,  G.  W. 
Statton;  Lacey  Spring,  (i.  R.  Fadeley;  Edinburg,  W.  R.  Rerry; 
Dayton,  I.  M.  Underwood:  Elkton,  W.  F.  Gruver;  Madison  mission, 
J.  W.  Maiden;  Cross  Keys,  S.  L.  Rice:  Freedmen's  mission,  T.  K. 
Clifford;  Toms  Rrook,  H.  Ryrd:  Front  Royal,  J.  W.  Walter;  Hart- 
mansville mission,  E.  A.  Pugli:  Winchester,  J.  R.  Chamberlain; 
Frederick,  W.  H.  Sampsell:  Rerkeley  Springs,  J.  E.  R.  Rice;  South 
Rranch,  N.  F.  A.  Cupp;  Martinsburg  station,  J.  R.  Ridenour:  Van- 
cealvesville,  W.  O.  Ewing;  Lost  River,  J.  F.  Snyder;  New  Creek, 
\\.  J.  Miller;  Rloomery,  P.  J.  Lawrence;  Mooreiield,  W.  P.  Razzle. 

1891 

Conference  at  Churchville,  Va.,  March  4. 

John  Dickson,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  W.  R.  Rerry,  secretaries. 

Visiting  ministers:  G.  W.  Statton,  G.  H.  Snapp,  J.  W.  Ingle,  R. 
F.  Rooth,  C.  1.  R.  Rrane,  W.  J.  Shuey,  A.  M.  Horn,  N.  A.  Kiracofe. 

Open  transfer  to  W.  J.  Miller. 

Licentiates:   E.  W.  McMullen,  R.  P.  S.  Rusey. 

M.  F.  Keiter,  I.  T.  Parlett,  J.  H.  Parlett  marked  "irregularly 
withdrawn,"  having  joined  the  radical  wing. 

Ordained:   J.  R.  Chamberlain. 

In  treasury,  $1,750.87. 

Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  $1,531.73. 

Educational  Aid  Fund,  $345.73. 

Special  collection  ordered  taken  in  all  the  Sunday  schools  for 
the  benefit  of  the  church  now  building  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

Appointments,  161;  organized  churches,  148;  members  received, 
800;  at  end  of  year,  7,61;  Telescopes,  213;  meeting  houses,  102, 
value,  $86,955;  parsonages,  9,  value,  $7,381;  Sunday  Schools,  126; 
teachers  and  officers,  1,002;  scholars,  7,646;  collected  for  missions, 
$704.31;  for  all  purposes,  $17,042.48;  preachers'  salaries,  $7,737.55. 


292 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


1892 


Conference  at  Berkeley  Springs,  W.  Va.,  March  2. 

E.  B.  Kephart,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  J.  B.  Chamberlain,  secretaries. 

Visiting  ministers:  William  McKee,  M.  L.  Mayselles,  N.  A. 
Kiracofe. 

Licentiate:    J.  \V.  Maiden. 

Mission  work  begun  in  Shenandoah  in  June,  1891,  by  S.  K.  Wine. 

Mission  opened  in  Roanoke,  May,  1891,  by  J.  E.  Pout,  a  student, 
A.  P.  Funkhouser  guaranteeing  him  $100  for  his  work  in  summer 
vacation.  J.  W.  Howe  served  the  mission  after  Mr.  Fout  returned 
to  the  seminary.  Special  collection  ordered  by  vote  of  Conference 
for  this  mission,  and  J>255  subscribed  on  the  floor. 

Ordained:    S.  L.  Rice,  W.  O.  Ewing,  J.  F.  Snyder. 

In  treasury,  $1,669.67. 

Educational  Aid  Fund,  $345.73. 

Ministerial  Benefit  fund,  $1,597.72. 

Appointments,  161;  organized  churches,  147;  Sunday  Schools, 
137;  teachers  and  officers,  1,003;  scholars,  7,819;  members  received, 
832;  at  end  of  year,  7,819;  Telescopes,  251;  meeting  houses,  104, 
value,  $89,150;  parsonages,  12,  value,  $7,640;  collected  for  mis- 
sions, $841.90;  for  all  purposes,  $16,046.71;  preachers'  salaries, 
$8,889.24. 

1893 

(Conference  at  Hawkinstown,  Va.,  March  1. 

Nicholas  Castle,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  J.  B.  Chamberlain,  secre- 
taries. 

Visiting  ministers:  I.  L.  Kephart,  A.  M.  Evers,  W.  O.  Fries, 
Pres.  E.  B.  Bierman. 

Licentiate:    J.  W    Walter. 

Transferred:    I.  M.  Underwood. 

Died:  Charles  Miller,  Mar.  9,  1892,  aged  67;  J.  W.  Nihiser,  Feb. 
1893,  aged  66. 

Virginia  Conference,  Young  People's  Christian  Union,  organized. 

In  treasury,  $1,950.03. 

Appointments,  161;  organized  churches,  138;  members  received, 
897;  at  end  of  year,  8,076;  Telescopes,  263;  Sunday  Schools,  122; 
teachers  and  officers,  931;  scholars,  7,153;  meeting  houses,  104, 
value,  $90,707;  parsonages,  14,  value,  $10,049;  collected  for  mis- 
sions, $787;  for  all  purposes,  $21,589.08;  preachers'  salaries. 
$9,340.15. 


1894 


Conference  at  Staunton,  Va.,  February  28. 

E.  P.  Kephart,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  W^  R.  Berry,  secretaries. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


29:? 


Visiting  ministers:  \\.  J.  Shuey,  W.  M.  Bell,  C.  I.  B.  Brane,  J.  P. 
Anthony,  L.  Rexroad. 

Licentiates:  S.  R.  Ludwig,  O.  W.  Burtner,  G.  W.  Stover,  S.  D. 
Dawson,  J.  W.  Brill. 

Received  as  elder  from  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  W.  L. 
(Childress. 

R.  L.  Dorsey  dismissed  and  name  stricken  from  roll. 

Transferred:   J.  E.  Fout. 

J.  W.  Howe  presented  a  life-sized  portrait  of  himself  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Conference  and  friends.     Presentation   by  bishop. 

In  treasury,  .$2,859.87,  of  which  $1,500  is  for  benefit  of  Liicey 
Spring. 

Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  $1,644.98,  to  whicli  is  added  in  per- 
manency, $100  donated  by  J.  W.  Howe. 

Appointments,  156;  organized  churches,  I4();  members  received, 
1,572;  at  end  of  year,  8,597;  Sunday  Schools,  132;  teachers  and 
officers,  1,039;  scholars,  7,426;  meeting  houses,  107,  value,  $101.91)0; 
parsonages,  16,  value,  $12,697;  Telescopes,  377;  collected  for  mis- 
sions, $878.81;  for  all  purposes,  $22,451.33;  salaries  of  preachers, 
$9,7330.65. 

1895 

Conference  at  Martinsburg,  W.  Va.,  March  20. 

J.  S.  Mills,  bishop;  (i.  P.  Hott,  W.  R.  Berry,  secretaries  . 

Visiting  ministers:  W.  M.  Bell,  A.  M.  Elvers,  W.  L.  Mm\si'1Ics, 
G.  H.  Snapp,  J.  W.  Kiracofe,  G.  W.  Kiracofe,  C.  W.  Stinespring,  A. 
N.  Horn,  J.  Dickson,  G.  J.  Roudabush,  I.  L.  Kephart,  .1.  T.  Spangler. 

Licentiates:  S.  A.  Crabill,  W.  O.  .Jones.  W.  H.  Bruce,  C.  1).  Ben- 
nett, H  E.  Richardson,  A.  J.  Secrist. 

In  treasury,  $3,136. 

Educational  Fund,  $412.80. 

Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  $1,938.45. 

Ordained:    B.  P.  S.  Busey,  W.  P.  Bazzle. 

Resolution  adopted  inviting  Maryland  (Conference  to  reunite 
with  the  Virginia  Conference. 

Appointments,  181;  organized  churches,  164;  members  received, 
1,351;  at  end  of  year,  9,282;  Sunday  Schools,  137;  teachers  and 
officers,  1,046;  scholars,  8,014;  meeting  houses,  109,  value,  $100,765: 
parsonages,  16,  value,  $12,791;  Telescopes,  460;  collected  for  mis- 
sions, $1,127.21;  for  all  purposes,  $23,106.32;  preachers  salaries, 
$10,202.91. 

1896 

* 

Conference  at  Broadway,  Va.,  March  18. 

Nicholas  Castle,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  W.  R.  Berry,  secretaries. 

Visiting  ministers:   M.  R.  Drury,  W.  M.  Weekley,  G.  H.  Snapp. 


294 


UNITED    BHETHHEN 


W.  L.  Martin,  G.  J.  Roudabush,  J.  B.  Chamberlain,  H.  H.  Font, 
S.  H.  Snell,  H.  B.  Dohmer. 

Received:   S.  K.  Wine. 

Ordained:    (i.  \V.  Stover,  J.  W.  Maiden. 

E.  S.  Tabler,  B.  F.  Grnver,  E.  M.  Baker,  J.  W.  Keiter,  C.  M. 
Strickler,  J.  A.  Noon  nominated  as  candidates  to  be  voted  for  as 
lay  delegates  to  next  General  Conference. 

In  treasury,  $3,233.86. 

Mutual  Benefit  Fund,  .$1,84^.54. 

Educational  Aid  Fund,  $419,544. 

Appointments,  184;  organized  churches,  168;  members  received, 
1,270;  at  end  of  year,  9,652;  Sunday  Schools,  145;  scholars,  8,180; 
meeting  houses,  118,  value,  $111,471;  parsonages,  14,  value,  $11,706; 
Telescopes,  485;  collected  for  missions,  $1,099.55;  for  all  purposes, 
$24,593.52;  preachers'  salaries,  $10,563.47. 

1897 

Conference  at  Roanoke,  Va.,  March   17. 

J.  \V.  Hott,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  W.  R.  Berry,  W.  O.  Ewing, 
secretaries. 

Visiting  ministers:  W.  M.  Bell,  S.  \V.  Paul,  H.  B.  Dohmer,  E.  V. 
Hoenshel. 

Licentiates:  L.  A.  Racey,  J.  H.  Rrunk,  J.  W.  Stearn,  George  M. 
Jones,  W.  A.  Black,  Lau  Seng  Nam  (of  Canton,  China). 

Transferred:    J.  E.  B.  Rice. 

Raised  on  Conference  floor  for  church  just  built  in  Johnson 
City,  Tenn.,  $80. 

In  treasury,  $3,250. 

Ministerial  Benefit   Fund,  $1,820.20. 

Educational  Aid  Fund,  $433.69. 

Appointments,  185;  organized  churches,  165;  members  received, 
1.089;  at  end  of  year,  9,859;  Sunday  Schools,  150;  teachers  and 
officers,  1,099;  scholars,  8,859;  Telescopes,  446;  meeting  houses, 
118;  value,  $108,490;  parsonages,  17,  value,  $12,300;  collected  for 
missions,  $1,163.18;  for  all  purposes,  $25,890.12;  salaries  of  preach- 
ers, $11,100.80. 

1898 

Conference  at  Toms  Brook,  Va.,  March  16. 

E.  B.  Kephart,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  \V.  F.  Gruver,  W.  R.  Berry, 
secretaries. 

Visiting  ministers:  G.  H.  Snapp,  L.  Walter  Lutz,  W.  R.  Funk, 
H.  B.  Dohmer,  S.  W.  Paul,  A.  B.  Station,  R.  Byrd,  C.  W.  Brewbaker, 
II.  H.  Font,  N.  W.  Burtner,  J.  E.  Font,  H.  U.  Roop,  Dr.  T.  C.  Carter. 

Licentiates:  L.  O.  Bricker,  A.  P.  Walton,  T.  J.  Feaster,  A.  R. 
Hendrickson. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


295 


Ordained:  A.  J.  Secrist,  ('.  I).  Bennett,  H.  K.  Ricliardson,  S.  A. 
Crabill. 

Ordination  of  (i.  K.  Little,  evangelist,  was  by  request  of  Pennsyl- 
vania Conference  arranged  to  occur  in  August   at  Assembly  Park. 

Reconnnended  that  every  charge  in  the  Conference  raise  a  per- 
manent fund  of  one  dollar  per  member,  on  an  average,  for  Shen- 
andoah Institute. 

In  treasury,  $3,274.55. 

Educational  Aid  Fund,  $433.69. 

Preachers'  Aid  Fund,  .^1,945.18. 

Appointments,  180;  organized  churches,  154;  members  received, 
1.430;  at  end  of  year,  10,978;  Sunday  Schools,  134;  scholars,  8,343; 
Telescopes,  587;  meeting  houses,  IK),  value.  J^l  13,404:  parsonages, 
17,  value,  $14,067;  collected  for  missions,  sL143.41;  for  all  pur- 
poses,  .$27,568.83;   preachers'   salaries.   ^14.277.20. 

1899 

Conference  at  Winchester,  Va.,  Marcli   15. 

E.  B.  Kephart,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  W.  R.  Berry,  A.  S.  Hammack. 
secretaries. 

Visiting  ministers:  W.  M.  Weekley.  T.  C.  Carter,  M.  L.  May- 
selles,  A.  N.  Horn,  W.  R.  Funk,  .1.  C.  Gardner,  L.  O.  Burtner.  .1.  B. 
Chamberlain,  E.  U.  Hoenshel,  E.  G.  Spessard,  A.  M.  Evers,  H.  U. 
Roop,  J.  E.  B.  Rice. 

Received:    L.  W.  Lutz. 

Transferred:    E.  A.  Pugh. 

Ordained:    A.  P.  Walton. 

Died:  W.  O.  Ewing,  Oct.  18,  1898,  aged  32;  George  W.  Rexroad. 
Mar.  2,5,  1898,  aged  77. 

G.  P.  Hott  and  A.  P.  Funkhouser  a  connnittee  to  visit  Newport 
News  "and  examine  the  outlook  for  establishing  a  church  in  that 
city  in  the  near  future." 

Appointments,  185;  organized  churches,  L58;  members  received, 
1,285;  at  end  of  year,  10,383;  Sunday  schools,  137;  teachers  and 
officers,  1,210;  scholars,  8,680;  Telescopes,  558;  meeting  houses, 
124,  value,  $121,186;  parsonage,  19,  value,  i^l6,396;  collected  for 
missions,  $1,013.51;  for  all  purposes,  $28,268.23;  salaries  of  preach- 
ers, $13,545.76;  active  itinerants,  33;  supernumerary,  3;  super- 
annuated, 2;  employed  local  preachers,  6;  unemployed  local 
preachers,  8. 

1900 

Conference  at  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  March  21-26. 

J.  W.  Hott,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary. 

Present,  48  ministers;  absent,  10;  delegates  present,  24. 

Visiting   ministers:    J.   B.    Chamberlain,   J.   C.   Gardner,   A.   N. 


r 


296 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


297 


Horn,   C.  \V.   Hutsler,   \V.  M.   Bell,  A.  \V.   Lane,  J.   E.   Hott,   A.   M 
Evers.  L.  O.  Burtner,  C.  \V.  Stinespring,  J.  L.  Grimm,  G.  H.  Snapp, 
W.  M.  Weekley,  E.  U.  Hoenshel. 

Ordained:  J.  C.  S.  Myers,  L.  O.  Bricker,  J.  W.  Walter.  J.  H. 
Briink,  W.  A.  Black,  L.  W.  Liitz,  L.  A.  Racey. 

B.  P.  S.  Biisey  transferred  to  Rock  River  Conference. 

T.  C.  Carter  received  from  East  Tennessee  Conference. 

Henry  Tallheim  chosen  elder. 

Presiding  elders:    G.  P.  Hott,  J.  1).  Donovan. 

Elected  to  itinerancy:    L.  O.  Bricker,  A.  P.  Walton. 

A.  P.  Walton  elected  Sunday  School  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

Died:    E.  A.  Pugh. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  W.  O.  Jones,  (ieorge  M.  Jones,  O.  W. 
Burtner,  A.  R.  Hendrickson,  C.  M.  Good,  Ida  M.  Judy,  T.  C.  Harper, 
E.  A.  Stanton,  W.  S.  Rau;  (2d  year)  J.  W.  Stearn,  G.  A.  Newman; 
(3rd  year)  J.  C.  S.  Myers.  J.  W.  Brill,  W.  A.  Black,  E.  W.  McMullen, 
J.  W.  Walter,  T.  J.  Feaster. 

The  report  on  boundaries  recommended  that  there  be  two  pre- 
siding elder  districts;  that  Berkeley  circuit  be  called  Jones  Spring 
circuit;  that  Galena  and  Arbor  Hill  be  added  to  Rockbridge  circuit; 
that  Ooss  Keys  circuit  be  re-named  Pleasant  Valley  circuit;  that 
Edinburg  circuit  be  attached  to  Winchester  district. 

A  resolution  adopted  condenming  the  liquor  trade  in  new  pos- 
sessions of  the  L'nited  States. 

Interesting  reports  on  missions,  education,  and  the  publishing 
interests  of  the  church. 

1901 

Conference  at  Churchville,  Va.,  March  13-17. 

E.  B.  Kephart,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary. 

Advisory  seats  given  to  W.  B.  Keeley,  W.  S.  C^ampbell,  Dr.  W. 
R.  Funk. 

Repoi'ter:    A.   P.  Funkhouser. 

Next  General  Conference  asked  to  deline  the  boundary  of  this 
Conference  so  as  to  include  in  it  all  of  Alleghany  county  (Md.), 
and  all  of  (iarrett  east  of  the  Alleghany  Divide. 

W.  F.  Gruver,  A.  P.  Funkhouser  appointed  delegates  to  tiie 
Anti-Saloon  League  meeting  at  Washington,  D.  C  in  December. 

Ordered  that  Mt.  IMeasant  be  detached  from  Winchester  circuit 
and  added  to  Inwood  circuit;  that  Red  Bud  be  detached  from 
In  wood  and  added  to  Winchester;  that  Claysville  be  attached  to 
New  Oeek  circuit;  that  Virginia  Mission  district  be  divided  into 
Staunton  and  Linville  circuits. 

W.  L.  Childress,  H.  E.  Richardson  transferred  to  Maryland 
Conference;  Dr.  T.  C.  Carter  granted  an  open  transfer. 

Itinerants:    T.  J.  Feaster,  E.  A.  Stanton. 


Presiding  elders:    G.  P.  Hott,  J.  D.  Donovan. 

To  open  a  mission  at  Ponce,  Porto  Rico,  $150  secured. 

Died:   A.  Hoover. 

Ordained:    J.  W.  Brill,  T.  J.  Feaster.  Ida  M.  Judy. 

Constitutional  Convention  petitioned  to  allow  a  vote  on  the 
liquor  question  as  an  addendum  to  the  State  Constitution  of 
Virginia. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  W.  O.  Jones,  G.  M.  Jones,  O.  W.  Burtner, 
A.  R.  Hendrickson,  C.  M.  Good,  T.  C.  Harper,  W.  S.  Rau,  J.  B. 
Ferguson,  J.  W.  Stearn;  (2d  year)  G.  A.  Newman,  Ida  M.  Judy,  ¥.. 
A.  Stanton;  (3d  year)  J.  (].  S.  Myers,  J.  W.  Brill,  E.  W.  McMullen, 
J.  W.  Walter,  L.  O.  Bricker. 

Sunday  School  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  A.  P.  Walton. 

Secretary  Historical  Society,  N.  F.  A.  Cupp. 

Trustees  Lebanon  Valley  College:  S.  D.  Skelton,  S.  K.  Wine, 
H.  B.  Miller. 

Trustees  Shenandoah  Institute:  J.  C.  S.  Myers,  (i.  B.  Fadeley, 
A.  P.  Funkhouser. 

Conference  Mission  Secretary:    W.  R.  Berry. 

Minister  present,  43;  abent,  18;  delegates,  19. 

Leading  reports:  Temperance,  missions,  education,  Sunday 
Schols,  young  people's  societies. 

1902 

Conference  met  at   Lacey  Spring,  Marcii   12-11). 

J.  S.  Mills,  bishop;  (i.  P.  Hott,  secretary. 

Reporters:    A.  P.  Funkhouser,  J.  O.  Long. 

Advisory  seats  given  to  H.  H.  Fout,  E.  U.  Hoenshel,  J.  G. 
Roudabush. 

O.  W.  Burtner  transferred  to  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

Ordained:    W.  O.  Jones,  A.  R.  Hendrickson. 

Ordered  that  Shendun  and  Belvidere  l)e  detached  from  Augusta 
circuit  to  form  Basic  City  circuit;  that  Camp  Hill  be  detached 
from  Capon  circuit  to  form  nucleus  of  a  new  charge;  that  a  mis- 
sion be  established  in  Cumberland,  Md. 

S.  E.  Boyd,  of  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  received  as 
ordained  elder. 

Missionary  Treasurer:    W.  R.  Berry. 

Treasurer  Conference  Educational  Society:    J.  N.  Fries. 

Sunday  vSchool  Secretary  and  Treasurer:    J.  H.  Brunk. 

Presiding  elders:   J.  I).  Donovan,  A.  S.  Hammack. 

Died:    Snowdon  Scott. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  C.  M.  (iood,  T.  C.  Harper,  J.  W.  Stearn, 
W.  D.  (iood,  George  Burgess;  (2d  year)  G.  A.  Newman,  W.  S.  Rau, 
J.  B.  Ferguson,  G.  M.  Jones;  (3d  year)  J.  C.  S.  Myers,  J.  W.  Brill, 


n 


d 


r 


298 


UNITED    BHETHHEX 


E.  W.  McMiillen,  .1.  W.  Walter,  L.  O.  Bricker,  J.  W.  Stearn,  E.  A. 

vStanton. 

Ministers  present,  39;  absent,  18;  delegates,  18. 
Leading  report  was  on  Lebanon  Valley  College. 

1903 

Conference  at  Staunton,  Va.,  March  26-30. 

,1.  S.  Mills,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary. 

Advisory  seats  given  to  J.  L.  (Irim,  S.  H.  Snell,  J.  P.  Anthony. 
A.  N.  Horn,  F.  M.  Clenn,  Dr.  W.  H.  Funk. 

Reporters:    A.  P.  Funkhouser,  W.  A.  Black. 

S.  G.  Wells  received  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Ordered  that  Clay  Hill  be  detached  from  Bockbridge  and  added 
to  Church ville;  that  Marion  Chapel  be  detached  from  South 
Branch    and   added   to   Franklin:   that    Christiansburg    circuit     be 

authorized. 

Presiding  elders:    A.  S.  Hanunack  and  W.  F.  Gruver. 

Itinerants:  Lau  Seng  Nam,  J.  B.  Ferguson,  George  Burgess, 
S.  E.  Boyd. 

Died:    H.  Tallhelm. 

Ordained:    E.  A.  Stanton. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  C.  M.  (iood,  .1.  L.  Argabright,  E.  E.  Net!'. 
George  Burgess;  (2d  year)  W.  S.  Bau,  G.  M.  .lones;  (.3d  year)  .[.  B. 
Ferguson.  J.  W.  Brill,  T.  C.  Harper,  E.  W.  McMullen,  J.  W.  Walton, 
L.  ().  Bricker.  J.  W.  Stearn. 

Delegates,  29. 

Ministers  present,  40;  absent,  18;  local,  10;  superannuated,  2. 

Leading  report  were  on  education  and  Lebanon  Valley  College. 

1904 

Conference  at  Martinsburg,  W.  Va.,  March  16-21. 

,1.  S.  Mills,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary,  S.  D.  Skelton,  reporter. 

Advisory  seats  given  to  J.  B.  Chand)erlain,  A.  V.  Vondersmith, 
W.  R.  Funk,  W.  A.  Dickson,  H.  U.  Boop,  A.  B.  Statton,  B.  Byrd, 
C.  C.  (iohn,  A.  N.  Horn,  D.  B.  Wagner,  W.  H.  WiVshinger,  H.  B, 
Spayd,  A.  M.  Evei's,  G.  K.  Hartman,  E.  C.  Hoenshel,  A.  M.  Brook. 
M.  L.  Mayselles,  C.  W.  Stinespring. 

L.  W.  Lutz  transferred  to  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

Open  transfers  to  A.  B.  Hendrickson,  J.  F.  Snyder,  S.  A.  CrabilK 
L.  O.  Bricker. 

Ordered  that  .ludy  and  Smith  Creek  be  detached  from  Pendle- 
ton and  added  to  Franklin;  that  Circleville,  Biverton,  and  Fligh 
Rock  be  detached  from  Pendleton  and  added  to  Franklin;  that 
Thoroughfare  be  detached  from  Elkton  and  added  to  Shenandoah 
City;  that  Shendun  be  attached  to  Pleasant  Valley  circuit:  that 
Mt.  Bethel  be  added  to  Augusta  circuit;  that  Broadway  be  detnchcd 
from  Broadway  circuit  and  added  to  Lacey  Spring;  that  Harrison- 


CHLRCH    HISTORY 


299 


burg  (colored)  be  made  a  station;  that  the  rest  of  Staunton  and 
Linville  circuits  be  called  Linville  and  Staunton  Mission:  that 
Laurel  Dale  be  detached  from  Bayard  and  added  to  New  Creek; 
that  Midland  be  added  to  Westernport  station;  that  Horseshoe  on 
New  Creek  circuit  be  discontinued. 

Presiding  elders:    W.  F.  Gruver,  A.  S.  Hammack. 

Leading  report  was  on  Lebanon  Valley  College. 

Died:   J.  W.  Howe. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  C.  M.  Good,  J.  L.  Argenbright,  George 
Burgess;  (2d  year)  W.  D.  Good,  W.  M.  Maiden;  (,3d  year)  J.  W. 
Brill,  E.  W.  McMullen,  J.  W.  Walter,  W.  S.  Rau,  E.  E.  NefT;  (4th 
year)  T.  C.  Harper,  J.  B.  Ferguson,  G.  A.  Newman. 

Ministers  present,  39;  absent,  12;  local,  16;  superannuate.  2; 
delegates,  26;  unemployed,  19. 

Ordained:    .T.  W.  Stearn. 


1905 

('onference  at  Dayton,  Va.,  March  22-27. 

J.  S.  Mills,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary. 

The  name  of  A.  G.  Wells  removed  from  the  roll,  he  having 
joined  another  church. 

A.  B.  Wilson  received  from  Alleghany  Conference. 

Advisory  seats  to  W.  0.  Jones,  W.  M.  Weekley,  E.  U.  Hoenshel, 
A.  V.  Vondersmith,  C.  W.  Hutsler,  S.  A.  Crabill,  W.  R.  Funk,  A.  N. 
Horn,  S.  L.  Rice,  Dr.  Roop. 

Reporters:    A.  P.  Funkhouser,  E.  A.  Stanton. 

Presiding  elders:   W.  F.  Gruver,  A.  S.  Hanunack. 

Ministerial  salaries  (minimum)  fixed  at  $400  for  inaiiied 
preachers  and  $300  for  single  preachers. 

The  marrying  of  persons  who  have  been  divorced,  by  ministers 
of  this  church,  denounced  in  a  strong  resolution. 

Ordained:   S.  A.  Newnum. 

Boards  all  re-elected. 

Ordered  that  Paw  Paw  be  added  to  Cacapon  circuit;  that 
Excelsior  be  added  to  South  Branch  circuit;  that  Limestone  be 
added  to  Keyser;  that  (Hay  Hill  be  taken  from  Church  ville  and 
added  to  Rockbridge;  that  Stokes  be  added  to  Church  ville;  that 
Smith's  Chapel  be  added  to  Rockbridge  circuit;  that  Christians-' 
burg  be  dropped;  that  the  two  Roanoke  churches  be  consolidated; 
that  Roanoke  circuit  be  constituted. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  C.  M.  Good,  J.  L.  Argenbright,  E.  U. 
Sypolt,  C.  J.  Racey,  J.  R.  Geil,  W.  M.  Maiden;  2d  year)  W.  D.  Good; 
(3d  year)  E.  W.  McMullen,  J.  W.  Walter,  W.  S.  Rau,  George  Bur- 
gess; (4th  year)  T.  C.  Harper,  J.  B.  Ferguson,  E.  E.  Neft',  .1.  W. 
Brill. 

Ministers  present,  40;  colored,  2;  delegates,  30. 


300 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


1906 

Conference  at  Berkeley  Springs,  W.  Va.,  21-26. 

J.  S.  Mills,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary. 

Reporters:   E.  A.  Stanton,  C.  D.  Bennett. 

Advisory  seats  given  to  S.  A.  Crabill,  J.  F.  Snyder,  A.  N.  Horn, 
\V  G  Wagner,  J.  E.  B.  Rice,  J.  F.  Smith.  Dr.  W.  R.  Funk,  H.  H. 
Fout,  C.  I.  B.  Brane,  C.  W.  Snyder,  E.  B.  PUimmer,  S.  S.  HoBgh, 
M.  L.  Marcelles,  C.  W.  Brewbaker,  S.  H.  Snell. 

Died:   J  D.  Donovan. 

Ordained:   W.  D.  Good. 

Itinerants:  J.  L.  Argenbright,  E.  E.  Neff,  W.  M.  Maiden,  C.  J. 
Racev,  L.  A.  Racev,  H.  R.  Geil,  B.  N.  Sypolt. 

Presiding  elder  (one  district  only):     W.  F.  Gruver. 

The    constitution    reported    by    the     Sustentation     Board     was 

adopted. 

The   name.    Young   People's    Christian    Union    was   changed    to 

Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor. 

\V.  B.  Keeley  was  transferred  to  Pennsylvania  Conference. 

Assessments  for  ministerial  aid  doubled. 

Ordered  that  a  mission  be  opened  in  South  Cumberland;  that 
Broadway  be  taken  from  Lacey  Springs  and  added  to  Singers  Glen; 
that  Mt.  Carmel,  Pleasant  View,  and  Cherry  Grove  be  added  to 
Singers  Glen;  that  Mt.  Clinton  be  taken  from  Singers  Glen  and 
given  to  Dayton;  that  Dayton  and  Harrisonburg  circuit  be  united; 
that  the  new  towns  between  Blaine  and  Bayard  on  the  W.  V.  C. 
Railroad  be  added  to  Bayard  circuit;  that  the  presiding  elder  be 
paid  $1,000  and  parsonage  rent. 

Licentiates:  (1st  vear)  J.  L.  Argenbright,  B.  N.  Sypolt,  C.  J. 
Racey,  H.  R.  Geil,  W.  E.  Smith;  (2d  year)  W.  D.  Good;  (3d  year) 
J.  \\\  Walter,   George  Burgess;    (4th   year)    J.  B.   Ferguson,  J.  W. 

Brill. 

Ministers   present,   39;   absent,    16;   local,    12;    superannuate,   3; 

unemployed,  17;  delegates,  24. 

Leading    reports    on    missions,    evangelism,    church     publishing 

interests. 

1907 

Conference  at  Edinburg,  Va.,  March  13-18. 
J.  S.  Mills,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary. 
Reporter:    G.  W.  Stover. 

Visiting  ministers:    S.  S.  Hough,  W.  D.  Mitchell,  Dr.  Whitney, 
W.  R.  Funk,  J.  W.  Karicofe,  C.  W.  Stinespring. 

"Virginia  Conference  News"  to  be  bi-monthly;  A.  S.  Hammack, 

editor.  .        .   .      . 

The  name  of  H.  R.  Geil  dropped  from  roll,  he  having  joined 

the  Evangelical  Association. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


301 


W.  A.  Black  given  local  relation. 

Presiding  elder:    W.  F.  Gruver. 

Died:    W.  R.  Berry,  T.  J.  Feaster. 

Ordered  that  Pleasant  View  be  added  to  Franklin;  that  Circle- 
ville  be  taken  from  Franklin  and  added  to  Pendleton  circuit;  that 
Belmont  be  taken  from  Staunton  charge  and  added  to  AuVnista 
circuit;  that  Mt.  Hebron  be  taken  from  Albemarle  circuit  and  added 
to  Elkton;  that  Dodson,  Blaine,  Chaflee,  and  Oakmont  be  added  to 
Bayard  mission;  that  the  rest  of  Bayard  circuit  be  known  as  Elk 
Garden  circuit;  that  Linville  and  Long's  Chapel  be  taken  from 
Harrisonburg  (colored)  and  added  to  Augusta  and  Rockingham 
circuit;  that  Mt.  Bethel  be  taken  from  Augusta  and  added  to 
Albemarle. 

Leading  reports  were  those  on  home,  education,  church  erec- 
tion. 

Ministers  present,  41;  absent,  15;  local,  10;  superannuate.  3; 
delegates,  21. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  W.  D.  Mitchell,  A.  L.  Maiden,  L.  E.  Brill, 
W.  R.  Chapman,  J.  L.  Argenbright;  (2(1  year)  C.  M.  (iood,  C.  .1. 
Racey,  B.  N.  Sypolt;  (3d  year)  W.  M.  Maiden.  J.  W.  Walter;  (4th 
year)  G.  Burgess,  J.  B.  Ferguson. 

1908 

Conference  at  Keyser,  W.  Va,  March  18-23. 
T.   C.   Carter,   bishop;    G.   P.   Hott,   secretary;   W.   D.   Mitchell, 
reporter. 

Visiting  ministers:  H.  B.  Ritter,  F.  B.  Chubb,  G.  A.  McQuire, 
Dr.  Herndon,  E.  U.  Hoenshel,  S.  S.  Hough,  W.  R.  Funk,  H.  H.  Fout, 
E.  R.  Reese,  M.  L.  Weekley,  M.  L.  Maysellcs. 

Died:    J.  D.  Scott,  T.  K.  CliiTord. 

Ordained:   J.  R.  Ferguson,  George  Burgess. 

S.  K.  Wine  given  open  transfer. 

Itinerants:    W.  D.  Good,  W.  D.  Mitchell. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  L.  E.  Brill,  W.  D.  Mitchell,  A.  L.  Maiden; 
(2d  year)  C.  J.  Racey;  (3d  year)  R.  X.  Sypolt,  W.  M.  Maiden,  J.  W. 
Walters;  (4th  year)  J.  B.  Ferguson. 

Ordered  that  the  presiding  elder's  salary  be  ^\,20i)\  that  Day- 
ton be  taken  from  Dayton  circuit;  that  Mt.  Hebron  and  Swift  Run 
be  taken  from  Elkton;  that  Thoroughfare  be  detached  from  Shen- 
andoah ("ity,  and  with  Mt.  Hebron  and  Swift  Run  be  constituted 
East  Rockingham  circuit;  that  Roanoke  circuit  be  discontinued; 
that  Winchester  and  Red  Bud  be  made  a  station;  that  Sunrise  be 
taken  from  Frederick  and  added  to  Tom's  Brook;  that  Mt.  Zion  be 
taken  from  Frederick  and  added  to  Winchester  circuit;  that  Bethel 
be  taken  from  Tom's  Brook  and  added  to  Frederick;  that  Mt.  Olive 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


302 

and  Mt.  Pleasant  be  taken  from  West  Frederick  and  added  to  Win- 

^'^rJdin,  reports  .ere   .hose  on   education,  home,   temperance, 

-^  '^^  ^•--'  ^-f  ■i'^i';;:    iriocal,    .3;   superannuate.   4; 
Ministers   present,   6b,   anseni,    iv  , 

delegates,  29. 

1909 

to  Staunton;  that  ^l*' /'°"  ' '/"  ,   oiver  circuit  he  called   Hardy 
-S't'thlriirhti   SSdSrilelaUen   trom   East   Hock- 

'"1rdin■;^:pSl':■e';f those  on  the  Bible,  Sunday  Schools,  and 
'^""ShUes:    (1st  year)  IE.  Brill.  W^,D^  ^n.cl,e.l.  A.  L.  Maiden; 

<3d  year,  B.  N.  ^^^^^^ ' J^'^^X  .ocaVl2     superannuate.   5; 

Ministers   present,   6d,    auseni,    lo, 

delegates,  20. 

1910 

Conference  at  Cumberland,  Md.,  March  23-26.  „,,,,eiter 

\^uuiciciiv  r    \y    Uf\i\    spcretarv;  C.  ^.  oanieiier^ 

W.  M.  \Veekley,  bishop;  (t.  1  .  Hott,  secreiai  n  , 

reporter.  r    T    R    Hraine    C.  G.  Whitney,  J.  E.  Fout, 

Visiting  ministers:    C.  1.  ^^- /^^'^'"V  i^- Jt.   ^Vph^ter   E    U   Hoen^ 
,.   r  •      •      r    Q    H  in  loiter   J    Ford,  E.  >\  .  W  eDsier,  r..  ». .  nucn 
MissMcGinnis,  G.  S.  Haniutci,  J.  ru  Houk,  G.  S. 

shel    B    F.  Dobson,  Dr.  Kendall,  S.  J.  Ludxvi.,   W  .  J.  noi 
Gabel,  A.  B.  Statton,  F.  M.  Glenn. 

Ei:e^.v5l^lSK  of  8500  raised  for  Conference  home  mission 

work.  , 

Presiding  elder:   A.  S.  Hammack. 
Withdrawn:    W.  D.  Mitchell. 
Granted  leave  of  absence:    R.  C.  Hammond,  J.  W.  Stearn,  G.  H. 

Fadeley. 

Ordained:    W.  M.  Maiden. 

Platform  adopted  for  missionary  work. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


303 


Leading  reports:  Temperance,  missions,  education,  church 
literature,  the  home.  Christian  stewardship,  Bible  study. 

Ordered  that  Mt.  Hebron,  Thoroughfare,  and  Swift  Run  be 
taken  from  East  Rockingham (  which  is  dissolved)  and  added  to 
Elkton;  that  the  appointments  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge — BlutTdale, 
Otterbein,  Shady  Grove,  Prize  Hill — constitute  Charlottesville 
circuit. 

Ministers  present,  34;  absent.  Hi;  local,  11;  superannuate.  5. 

1911 

Conference  at  Staunton,  March  22-25. 

T.  C.  Carter,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary;  G.  S.  Hanleiter, 
reporter. 

Advisory  seats  given  to  J.  G.  Huber,  C.  W.  Stinespring,  G.  S. 
Hanleiter,  J.  E.  Croft,  K.  Moyer,  C.  Whitney,  S.  S.  Hough. 

W^  M.  Merrit,  a  pioneer  member  of  the  conference  was  intro- 
duced. 

Itinerants:    B.  F.  Dotson,  E.  W.  Webster,  T.  C.  Harper,  John 

Ford. 

An  oU'ering  of  .'^720  for  Conference  church  extension. 

Leading  reports:  missions,  education,  temperance,  the  Christian 
home,  Christian  stewardship. 

Presiding  elder:   A.  S.  Hammack. 

The  ''Conference  News"  discontinued. 

Resolutions  by  the  layman's  meeting  adopted. 

Died:    J.  W.  Walters. 

Ordered  that  Bayard  be  made  a  station;  that  Frankford  be 
added  to  Cumberland;  that  Mt.  Zion  and  Sunrise  be  taken  from 
Tom's  Brook  and  added  to  Winchester;  that  a  church  be  established 
at  Petersburg,  W.  Va.,  in  connection  with  South  Branch  circuit; 
that  the  salary  of  presiding  elder  be  $1,500,  including  parsonage; 
that  $3,000  be  assessed  for  administration  (15  per  cent  for  bishop's 
salary,  70  for  presiding  elder,  10  for  General  Conference  expenses, 
5  for  contingent  fund). 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  L.  E.  Brill,  J.  Ford,  L.  C.  Messick,  A.  B. 
Mann;  (2d  year)  W.  M.  Vansickle,  A.  L.  Maiden,  B.  F.  Dotson; 
(3d  year)  B.  N.  Sypolt;  (4th  year)  C.  J.  Bacey. 

Ministers  present,  40;  absent,  16;  local,  14;  supperannuate,  4. 

1912 

Conference  at  Martinsburg,  W.  Va.,  October  2-8. 
T.  C.  Carter,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary;  A.  P.  Funkhouser, 
W.  D.  Mitchell,  reporters. 

Visiting  ministers:    C.  W.  Stinespring,  S.  S.  Hough. 
Died:   S.  E.  Boyd. 


304 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Transferred:    B.  N.  Sypolt,  E.  W.  Webster,  T.  C.  Harper. 
The  name  of  Lan  Sang  Nam  dropped  from  roll,  he  having  be- 
come a  member  of  the  Chinese  Conference. 

Itinerants:   L.   C.   Messick,   A.   B.   Mann,   G.   A.   McGuire,   P.    B, 

Chubb.  _      ,  X       J      ^ 

Resolutions    by    the    laymen    of    the    Conference    entered    on 

minutes.  .  »,        . 

Leading    reports:     Foreign     missions,     education,     the     home, 
church   publishing  interests,   Lebanon    Valley    College,   the   Y.   P, 

Presiding  elder:    A.  S.  Hammack. 

Ordered  that  Bethel  be  taken  from  Charlottesville  and  added 
to  Augusta;  that  Mt.  Vernon  be  taken  from  Charlottesville  and 
added  to  Pleasant  Vallev;  that  the  appointments  east  of  the  Blue 
Ridge  be  constituted  a  charge;  that  Circleville  be  taken  from 
Pendleton,  and  with  Riverton,  High  Rock,  Mt.  Pleasant  and  Seneca 
(taken  from  Franklin)  be  known  as  Riverton  circuit;  that  Oak 
Hill  be  added  to  Churchville;  that  Big  Pool  and  Buck  Hill  be 
added  to  Jones  Springs;  that  Rockbridge  circuit  be  known  as 
Swoope  circuit;  that  Dayton  circuit  be  known  as  West  Rockingham 

circuit. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  L.  E.  Brill,  L.  C.  Messick,  A.  B.  Mann, 
G.  A.  McGuire,  F.  B.  Chubb,  1.  Summers,  W.  D.  Mitchell;  (2d  year) 
B.  F.  Dotson;  (4th  year)  D.  G.  Brimlow. 

Ministers    present,    43;    absent,    8;    local,    0;    superannuate,    4: 

delegates,  28. 

1913 

Conference  at  Roanoke,  September  24-28. 

W.  M.  Weekley,  bishop;  G.  P.  Hott,  secretary;  A.  P.  Funkhouser, 
W.  D.  Mitchell,  reporters. 

Advisory  seats  given  to  L.  0.  Miller.  W.  O.  Fries,  S.  S.  Hough, 

J.  P.  Landis,  R.  Rock. 

Chairman  of  laymen's  meeting:    L.  A,  Armentrout. 

Presiding  elder:    A.  S.  Hammack. 

Vote  for  union  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church:    32  for, 

20  against. 

Itinerants:    I.  Summers,  W.  D.  Mitchell. 

Ordered  that  Salem  and  Park  Side  be  taken  from  Inwood  and 
added  to  Martinsburg,  Second  Church;  that  Mt.  Carmel,  Central, 
and  Buck  Hill  be  taken  from  Jones  Springs  and  added  to  West 
Frederick;  that  Ridgely  be  attached  to  Cumberland  mission;  that 
Frederick  circuit  be  called  Reliance;  that  Mt.  Hebron  and  Thor- 
oughfare be  taken  from  Elkton  and  added  to  Charlottesville. 

Leading  reports:  Home,  education,  missions,  publishing  in- 
terests, Y.  P.  S.  C. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


305 


Licentiates:  (1st  year)  L.  E.  Brill,  L.  C.  Messick,  G.  A.  McGuire, 
F.  B.  Chubb,  I.  Summers,  W.  Y).  Mitchell,  A.  Bamford,  R.  N.  Young; 
(2d  year)  B.  F.  Dotson,  A.  B.  Mann;  (4th  year)  D.  G,  Brimlow. 

Ministers  present,  41;  absent,  14;  local,  16;  superannuate,  .5; 
unemployed,  15;  delegates,  25. 

1914 

Conference  at  Westernport,  Md.,  September  22-28. 

W.  M.  Weekley,  bishop;  J.  H.  Brunk,  secretary. 

Visiting  ministers:  G.  A.  Funkhouser,  R.  Rock,  W.  I).  Barger, 
C.  W'.  Stinespring,  Dr.  H.  F.  Shupe,  Dr.  C.  W.  Brewbaker,  S.  E. 
Bowman,  S.  R.  Ludwig. 

Ordained:    W.  D.  Mitchel,  D.  G.  Brimlow. 

Presiding  elder:    A.  S.  Hammack. 

Died:    William  H.  Clary. 

Itinerants:  A.  L.  Maiden,  D.  G.  Brimlow,  R.  N.  Young,  I.  Sum- 
mers, W.  D.  Mitchel. 

Ordered  that  Pleasant  Grove  be  taken  from  Augusta  circuit 
and  added  to  Dayton  station;  that  Belmont  be  taken  from  Staunton 
and  added  to  Augusta;  that  Cherry  Run  circuit  be  constituted  from 
Slater's,  Sleepy  Creek,  and  Big  Pool  (taken  from  Jones  Spring) 
and  Cherry  Run  and  Pleasant  Hill  (new  appointments);  that  Mt. 
Carmel,  Buck  Hill,  and  Central  be  taken  from  West  Frederick 
and  attached  to  Jones  Springs;  that  Cross  and  Hampshire  be  taken 
from  Westernport  and  added  to  Elk  Garden;  that  Blaine  and 
ChafTee  be  taken  from  Elk  Garden  and  added  to  Bayard;  that 
Fountain  circuit  be  constituted  from  Fountain,  Mt.  Zion,  and 
Eureka  (taken  from  New  Creek  circuit)  and  Alaska  and  Horse- 
shoe (new  appointments);  that  Swift  Run  be  taken  from  Elkton 
circuit  and  added  to  Charlottesville,  and  the  name  changed  to 
Swift  Run  circuit. 

Leading  reports:  Foreign  mission,  Christian  stewardship,  pub- 
lishing interests,  Sunday  Schools,  education. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  L.  E.  Brill,  G.  A.  McGuire,  F.  B.  Chubb, 
L  Summers,  R.  N.  Young;  (2d  year)  A.  Bamford,  L.  C.  Messick,  J. 
W'.  WVight;  (3d  year)  A.  B.  Mann. 

Ministers  present,  44;  absent,  12;  local,  9;  superannuate,  4; 
delegates,  32. 

1915 


Conference  at  Singers  Glen,  Va.,  September  15-20. 

W.  M.  Weekley,  bishop;  J.  H.  Brunk,  secretary;  A.  P.  Funk- 
houser, reporter. 

Advisory  seats  given  to  Dr.  John  Owen,  Dr.  J.  H.  Kendall, 
W.  A.  Wilt,  G.  K.  Little,  C.  W.  Hutzler. 


30() 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Mrs.  Hal  Smith,  returned  missionary  from  Africa,  given  honor- 
ary seat. 

Died:   G.  P.  Hott,  J.  D.  Donovan.  . 

leading  reports:  Publishing  interests,  education,  the  Christian 
home.  Christian  stewardship,  the  Virginia  Conference. 

Ordered  that  Potomac  circuit  be  constituted  from  Sir  Johns 
Run  and  Fairview  (taken  from  Berkeley  Spring  station)  and 
Alpine  and  Friendship  (taken  from  Berkeley  Springs  circui  ) ;  that 
Salem   be  taken   from  Martinsburg,   Second   Church   and   added  to 

'"Ticentiates:  (1st  year)  L.  E.  Brill,  G.  A.  McGuire,  F^B^Chubb, 
I.  Sinnners,  R.  N.  Young,  D.  T.  Gregory,  J.  H.  Schmitt  H  M.  Crim, 
J  R  Collis  F.  A.  Tinnev;  (2d  year)  L.  C.  Messick;  (3d  year)  A. 
B.  Mann;  (4th  vear)  W.  G.  McNeil,  J.  W.  Wright,  A.  Bamford. 

Ministers  present,  48;  absent,  10;  local,  16;  superannuate,  3; 
delegates,  31. 

1916 

Conference  at  Shenandoah,  Va.,  September  13-18. 
W.  M.  Weekley,  bishop;  J.  H.  Brunk,  secretary;  H.  E    Richard- 
son, I.  K.  Roby,  N.  F.  A.  Cupp,  W.  F.  Gruver,  \V.  D.  Mitchell,  G.  W . 

Stover    reporters. 

^      Advisory  seats  given  to  W.  J.  Houck,  W.  A.  Wilt,  E.  U.  Hoenshel, 

W.  L.  Childress,  C.  W.  Cooper. 
Superintendent:   A.  S.  Hammack. 
The  name  of  R.  G.  Hammond  dropped  from  the  roll,  he  having 

joined  another  church.  .    .      .u     ^    i  i 

Bishop  Weekley  delivered  an  address  on  "'Otterbein,  the  Model 

Preacher."  ^    ^    ,r  xt  -i 

Itinerants:    T.  E.  Gruver,  S.  L.  Baugher,  W  .  G.  McNeil. 

Ordered  that  Strasburg  be  added  to  Tom's  Brook;  that  the 
Cumberland  work  be  designated  Cumberland  and  Ridgely. 

Ordained:    J.  W.  Wright,  A.  Bamford. 

Leading  reports:  Prohibition,  foreign  missions.  Christian 
stewardship,  the  Christian  Endeavor. 

Ministers   present,   52;   absent,   12;   local,   20;    superannuate,   3; 

delegates,  31. 

1917 

Conference  at  Petersburg,  W.  Va.,  September  26-  October  1. 

W.  M.  Bell,  bishop;  J.  H.  Brunk,  secretary;  N.  F.  A.  Cupp,  H.  E. 
Richardson,  reporters. 

Died:   A.  P.  Funkhouser,  J.  M.  Hott,  J.  G.  Roudabush. 

Superintendent:    A.  S.  Hammack. 

The  name  of  W.  L.  Hamrick  was  dropped  from  the  roll  because 
of  irregular  withdrawal. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


307 


Advisory  seats  given  to  Dr.  A.  S.  Siddell,  W.  O.  Fries,  Miss  Dora 
Housekeeper,  J.  E.  Font,  J.  B.  Chamberlain,  Prof,  J.  H.  Ruebush. 

Report  of  committee  of  course  of  study. 

Entered  on  minutes  certilicate  of  agreement  between  the 
Church  Erection  Society  and  the  Conference  Board. 

Leading  reports:  Christian  stewardship,  the  Christian  home, 
home  missions,  education,  temperance. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  L.  E.  Brill,  F.  B.  Chubb,  R.  N.  Young, 
D.  T.  Gregory,  J.  H.  Schmitt,  H.  M.  Crimm,  J.  R.  Collis,  F.  A. 
Tinney,  W.  b!  Obaugh,  W.  R.  Swank,  D.  F.  Glovier,  M.  W.  Nelson, 
V.  L.  PhilUps,  W.  H.  Smith,  W.  R.  McKinney,  L.  G.  Bridges,  J.  L. 
Oliver,  C.  W.  Hiser,  W.  M.  Courtney,  W.  P.  Hollar;  (2d  year)  I. 
Summers,  L.  C.  Messick;  (3d  year)  C.  A.  McGuire;  (4th  year) 
A.  B.  Mann. 

Ministers  present,  48;  absent,  18;  local,  27;  superannuate,  1; 
delegates,  16. 

1918 

Conference  at  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  September  25-30. 

W.  M.  Bell,  bishop;  J.  H.  Brunk,  secretary. 

M.  L.  Weekley  received  from  West  Virginia  Conference. 

Advisory  seats  given  to  W.  R.  Funk,  E.  U.  Hoenshel,  J.  E.  Fout, 
A.  C.  Siddall,  Prof.  J.  E.  Weidler  of  Free  Town,  Africa. 

Died:    E.  W.  McMullen. 

Ordained:   A.  B.  Mann. 

Superintendent:   A.  S.  Hammack. 

Ministers  who  had  served  two  full  years  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Conference  placed  on  the  itinerant  list. 

Charter  of  Conference  Church  Erection  Society  presented. 

Assignments  for  Seminary  Extension  Study. 

Leading  reports:  E(kication,  temperance,  home  missions,  and 
a  particularly  excellent  one  on  "the  Christian  Home"  by  L.  A. 
Racey. 

Bible  Conference  ordered  for  the  next  summer. 

Plan  adopted  for  raising  an  endowment  fund  for  the  Shen- 
andoah Collegiate  Institute  and  School  of  Music. 

Licentiates:  (1st  year)  L.  E.  Brill,  F.  B.  Chubb,  D.  T.  Gregory, 
H.  M.  Crimm,  F.  A.  Tinney,  J.  A.  Arnold,  M.  W.  Nelson,  V.  L. 
Phillips,  W.  H.  Smith,  J.  L.  Oliver,  C.  W.  Hiser,  W.  M.  Courtney, 
W'.  P.  Holler;  (2d  year)  I.  Summers,  W.  R.  McKinney,  L.  G. 
Bridgers,  D.  F.  Glovier,  R.  N.  Young,  J.  R.  Collis;  (3d  year)  G.  A. 
McGuire,  W\  B.  Obaugh,  L.  C.  Messick. 

Ministers  present,  49;  absent,  16;  local,  26;  superannuate,  1; 
delegates,  28. 


308 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


1919 


Conference  at  Martinsburg,  September  24-29. 

W.  M.  Bell  bishop;  J.  H.  Bnink  and  A.  L.  Maiden,  secretaries; 
W.  D.  Mitchell,  reporter;  A.  J.  Secrist,  treasurer;  A.  S.  Hammack, 
superintendent. 

Resigned:    B.  F.  Chubb,  George  Burgess,  W.  D.  Good. 

Died:    L.  E.  Brill,  aged  47. 

Licentiates:  D.  T.  (iregory,  H.  M.  Crimm,  J.  H.  Arnold,  \V.  H. 
Smith,  J.  E.  Oliver,  Jr.,  C.  W.  Hiser,  W.  P.  Hollar,  M.  W.  Nelson, 
W.  M.  Courtney,  F.  A.  Tinny;  first  year.  D.  F.  Glovier,  L.  G. 
Rridgers,  J.  R.  Collis;  second  year.  R.  N.  Young,  W.  L.  Phillips,  G. 
A.  McGuire,  L.  C.  Messick,  W.  B.  Obaugh;  third  year. 

Increase  of  18  per  cent  in  salaries. 

W.  F.  Gruver  and  A.  S.  Hammack,  trustees  for  Lebanon  Valley 

College. 

.1.  S.  and  B.  H.  Gruver  contribute  .^1,000  to  Conference  Minis- 
erial  Relief  Fund,  a  memorial  to  Jacob  I.  Gruver  and  wife. 

Papers  read  on  "The  Importance  of  the  Sunday  School,"  'The 
Rights  of  the  Child,"  "Christian  Education,"  and  "Church  Exten- 
sion." 

Active  itinerants,  38;  superannuate,  1;  local  preachers  26  (18 
unemploved). 

1920 

Conference  at   Berkeley  Springs,  September   15-20. 

W.  M.  Bell,  bishop;  A.  S.  Hammack,  superintendent;  J.  H.  Brunk 
and  A.  L.  Maiden,  secretaries;  A.  J.  Secrist,  treasurer. 

Licentiates:  (First  year),  J.  E.  Oliver,  Jr.,  C.  W.  Hiser,  J.  H. 
Arnold,  W.  H.  Smith,  W.  M.  Courtney,  M.  W.  Nelson,  H.  P.  Ruppen- 
thal,  E.  E.  Miller;  (third  year),  R.  N.  Young.  G.  W.  McGuire,  W.  B. 
Obaugh,  L.  C.  Messick,  1).  F.  Glovier,  L.  G.  Bridgers,  J.  R.  Collis. 

Licensed  to  preach:  M.  M.  Collins,  Herman  Grove,  D.  A.  Frazier, 

Lay  delegates,  35. 

Certiiicates  given  H.  E.  Richardson,  A.  B.  Mann,  D.  F.  Glovier, 
L.  C.  Messick,  R.  N.  Young  on  Seminary  Extension. 

Papers  read  on  "The  Christian  Home,"  "Publishing  Interests/" 
"Home  Missions,"  "Foreign   Missions." 

Membership,  17,818. 

Value  of  churches  and  parsonages,  $575,872.88. 

Active  itinerants,  38;  superannuate,  1;  local  preachers,  26  (18 
unemployed). 

1921 

Conference  at  Dayton,  September  14-19. 

\V.  M.  Bell,  bishop;  A.  S.  Hammack,  superintendent;  J.  H.  Brunk 
and  A.  L.  Maiden,  secretaries;  A.  J.  Secrist,  treasurer;  W.  S.  Crick, 
reporter. 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


'M)9 


' 


Licentiates:  (First  year),  J.  E.  Oliver,  Jr.,  C.  W.  Hiser.  J.  H. 
Arnold,  W.  H.  Smith,  W.  M.  Courtney,  H.  P.  Rupi)enthal,  E.  E.  Miller, 
M.  W.  Nelson;  (third  year).  W.  B.  Obaugh,  L.C.  Messick.  D.  F. 
Glovier,  L.  G.  Bridgers.  J.  R.  Collis. 

Licensed  to  preach:  Gladstone  Cooley.  W.  C.  Mundy,  J.  Pa. si 
(iruver,  I).  P.  Bell,  B.  F.  Spit/er,  G.  M.  Keezle,  J.  H.  Sisler,  Arnold 
Roderick,  (ieorge  Knopp,  William  Rifle. 

Applicants  for  annual  conference  license:  Claude  Ryan,  Her- 
man Grove,  L.  M.  Leach,  C.  W.  Tinsman,  E.  B.  Caplinger,  U.  P. 
Hovermale,  C.  K.  Welch. 

Added  to  itinerant  list:    W.  W.  Skellett,  Charles  Schadd.  W.  L. 

Childress. 

Resigned:    C.  G.  Stambach,  Dewey  Ritter,  G.  W.  Butler,  D.  I). 

Brant. 

Died:    G.  A.  McGuire. 

Value,  Shenandoah  Collegiate  Institute  property,  $75,835. 

Received  during  year,  $28,408.01. 

Disbursed,  $28,580.82. 

Average  salary,  $1,038  and  parsonage. 


CHARGES,  1921 


Augusta 

Berkeley  Springs  Station 

Berkeley  Spring  Circuit 

Bayard 

Broadway 

Big  Pool 

Churchville 

('umberland,  First 

Cumberland,  Second 

Dayton 

Edinburg 

Elk  Garden 

Elkton 

Franklin 

Fountain 

Great  Cacapon 

Greensburg 

Harrisonburg 

Hardy 

In  wood 

Jones  Springs 

Keyser 

Lacey  Springs 

Martinsburg,  First 


Martinsburg,  Second 

Manassas 

New  Creek 

Pleasant  Valley 

Pendleton 

Petersburg 

Reliance 

Riverton 

Ridgeley 

Roanoke 

Swift  Run 

Swoope 

Staunton 

South  Branch 

Shenandoah 

Singers  Glen 

Sleepy  Creek 

Toms  Brook 

Westernport 

Winchester  Station 

Winchester  Circuit 

WVst  Frederick 

W^est  Rockingham 


310  UNITED    BHETHHEN 

CONFERENCE  ROLL,  1921 

Note:  The  names  of  those  present  are  starred.  Dates  are  those 
of  joining  conference.  The  postolRce  address  is  at  the  right  of 
the  page. 

Arnold,  J.  H 1918 Annville,-Pa.  (student  Lebanon 

Valley  College). 

Baugher,  S.  L.* 1914 Edinburg,  Va. 

Beale,  J.  R.* 1916 Dayton,  Va.,   (teacher  S.  C.  I.) 

Bhick,  W.  A ; 1897 Roanoke,  Va. 

Bridgers,  L.  G.* 1917 Ridgeley,   W.   Va. 

Brill.  J.  W.* 1894 Bayard,   W.  Va. 

Brindow,  D.  G 1911 Martinsburg,   W.   Va. 

Brunk,  J.  H.* 1897 Berkeley  Springs,  W.  Va. 

Burgess,  George 1902 Laurel  Dale,  W.  Va. 

Caplinger,   E.  B.* 1921 Dayton,  Va.   (student  S.  C.  L) 

Chamberlain,  J.  B 1918.. Martinsburg,   \V.    Va. 

Childress,  \V.  L.* 1921 Cumberland,  Md. 

Coffman,  T.  J.* 1917 Hagerstown,  Md. 

(Mollis,  J.  R.'' 1915 Broadway,  Va. 

Courtney,  W.  M.* 1917 Sleepy  Creek,  W.  Va. 

Crimm,  H.  M 1915 Tiama,  Africa  (missionary). 

Crowell,  C.  H.* 1878 Great  Cacapon,  W.  Va. 

Cupp,  N.  F.  A.* 1885 Martinsburg,  W.  Va.,  R.  F.  D.  5. 

Dawson,  S.  D 1894 Ridgeley,  W.  Va. 

Dyche,  C.  P.* 1881 Elkton,  Va.,  R.  F.  D. 

Fadeley,  G.  B.* 1880 Harrisonburg,  Va. 

Ford.  J.  H.* 1910 Roanoke,  Va. 

Ferguson,  .1.  B. 1901 Roanoke,  Va. 

Fries.  J.  N.* 1874 Berkeley  Springs,  W.  Va. 

(teacher  in  high  school). 

Glovier,  D.  F.* 1916 Rolla,  Va. 

Gregory,  D.  T.* 1915 Dayton,  O.  (assistant  secretary 

Board  of  Administration). 

Grove,   Hermon* 1921 Antioch,  W.  Va. 

Gruver,  W.  F.* 1887 Harrisonburg,  Va. 

Hammack,  A.  S.* 1886 Dayton,  Va. 

Hiser,  C.  W.* 1917 Annville,  Pa.  (student  L.  V.  C.) 

Horn,  A.  M 1880 Mt.  Solon,  Va. 

Hovermale,   V.  P 1921 Dayton,    O.    (Bonebrake   Semi- 
nary). 
.Tudy,  Ida  M.* 1900 Dayton,  Va.  (teacher  S.  C.  L) 


CHURCH    HISTORY 


311 


» 


McNeil,  W.   G.* 1915 Petersburg,  W.  Va. 

Maiden,  A.  L.* 1907 Dayton,    0.    (Bonebrake    Semi- 
nary). 

Maiden,  J.  \V.* 1892 Bridgewater,  Va. 

Maiden,  W.  M.* 1904 Maysville,  W.  Va. 

Mann,  A.  B.* 1911 Staunton,  Va. 

Messick,  L.  C* 1910        Jones  Springs,  W.  Va. 

Miller,  E.  E 1920 Annville,  Va.  (student  L.  V.  C.) 

Mitchell,  W.  D.* 1912 Akron,  Ohio. 

Myers,  J.  C.  S.* 1889        Lacey  Springs,  Va. 

Nelson,  M.  W 1916 Circleville,  W.  Va. 

Obaugh,  W.  B. 1916 Dayton,   ().,   (student   in   Bone- 
brake Seminary). 

Oliver,  ,T.  E.,  Jr 1917 Dayton,   O.    (Bonebrake   Semi- 
nary). 

Phillips,  V.  L 1916 Westerville,    O.    (Field    Secre- 
tary, Otterbein  College). 

Racey,   C.  J.* 1905 Westernport,  Md. 

Racey,  L.  A.* 1897         Inwood,  \V.  Va. 

Rau,  W.  S.* 1900 Shenandoah,  Va. 

Richardson,  H.  E.* 1909         Martinsburg,  W.  Va. 

Ridenour,  J.  R 1875 Middletown,  Md. 

Ruppenthal,  H.  P.* 1920         Shenandoah,  Va. 

Ryan,  C.  A.* 1921 Keyser,  W.  Va.,  R.  F.  D. 

Sampsell,  W.  H.* 1881 Winchester,  Va. 

Schadd,  C.  H.^= 1921 Sleepy  Creek,  W.  Va. 

Secrist,  A.  J.* 1895 Martinsburg,  W.  Va. 

Skelton,  S.  D.* 1885         Dayton,  Va. 

Smith,  W.  H.* 1917         Dayton,  Va. 

Stover,    G.    W.* 1894 Winchester,  Va. 

Stearn',  J.  W.* 1897         Mt.  Clinton,  Va. 

Swank,  W.  R.* 1916 Westerville,  O.   (student  Otter- 
bein  College). 
Tinsman,  C.  W.* 1921 Dayton,  Va.  (student  S.  C.  I.) 

Welch,   C.   K.* 1921 Winchester,  Va. 

Wilt,  W.  A.* 1917         Keyser,  W.  Va. 

Wright,   J.  W 1914 Westerville,  Ohio. 

Young,  R.  N.* 1912 Churchville,   Va. 

Local:  J.  H.  Arnold,  J.  R.  Beale,  W.  A.  Black,  L.  G.  Bridgers, 
George  Burgess,  T.  ,J.  ColTman,  W.  M.  Courtney,  S.  D.  Dawson, 
J.  N.  Fries,  J.  B.  Ferguson,  Herman  Grove,  C.  W.  Hiser,  A.  M.  Horn, 
U.  P.  Hovermale,  Ida  M.  Judy,  E.  B.  Caplinger,  E.  E.  Miller,  M.  W. 


312 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


CHURCH   HISTORY 


313 


Nelson,  W.  B.  Obaugh.  J.  E.  Oliver,  Jr.,  V.  L.  Phillips,  H.  P.  Ruppen- 
thal,  C.  A.  Ryan,  W.  R.  Swank,  C.  W.  Tinsman,  C.  K.  Welch,  J. 
\V.  Wright. 

Licentiates:  J.  H.  Arnold,  L.  (1.  Bridgers,  ,1.  R.  Collis,  W.  M. 
Courtney,  I).  F.  (ilovier,  Herman  (irove,  C.  W.  Hiser,  U.  P.  Hover- 
jnale,  E.  R.  Caplinger,  E.  E.  Miller,  M.  W.  Nelson,  W.  B.  Obaugh, 
J.  E.  Oliver,  Jr.,  V.  L.  Phillips,  H.  P.  Ruppenthal,  C.  A.  Ryan,  C.  H. 
Schadd,  W.  H.  Smith,  W.  R.  Swank,  C.  W.  Tinsman,  C.  K.  Welch, 
W.  A.  Wilt. 

Retired:    C.  P.  Dvche,  J.  W.  Maiden,  J.  R.  Ridenour. 


vi^ 


G  E  N  P:  R  A  L     INDEX 


Page 

Ambrose,  W 155 

Bachtel,   J 72 

Baugher,   S.   L 155 

Beale,  J.  R 155 

Berry,  W.  R 156 

Boehm,   M 17 

BoAcy,  H.  A 150 

Bovey,   J.    A 190 

Brane,  C.  I.  B 156 

Brashear,   T.   F 157 

Bridgers,  L.  C 157 

Brill,  J.  W 157 

Briink,   J 158 

Brunk,  J.  H 158 

Burgess,    G 158 

Burtner,  H 71,  158 

Burtner,  L.  0 159 

Burtner,    O.    W 159 

Burtner,   W.   H 159 

Byrd,   R 159 

Charges,  1921  List 309 

Childress,  W.  L 160 

Church,  Apostolic 1,  6 

Church   Dedications 193-202 

Church  Papers 100 

Church   Union 109,  209 

Civil   War 94 

Circuits.    1848 80 

Clary,  W.  H 160 

CliJlord,  T.   K 160 

Collis,  J.  R 161 

Conference   Divisions 42,   45 

Conf.   Minutes   Digest 224-309 

Conferences,  First 38,  41 

Conference   Roll,   1921 310 

Corbin,   A 153 

Coursey,  W.  R 73,  86,  161 

Crabill,  S.  A 161 


Page 

Crowell,  C.  H 161 

Cupp,  N.  F.  A 162 

Dawson,  S.  D 162 

Day,  A 162 

Dayton    220 

Deneal,   G.   E 84 

Division    in    Church 103 

Donovan,   J.    D. 162 

Early  Brethren  in  Virginia         44 

Education  214 

Evangelical  Movement 32 

Evangelical  Reformed  Church  36 

Evers,   A.  M 163 

Evers,   S 191 

Ewing,  W.  0 163,  191 

Fadeley,  G.  B 163 

Feaster,  T.  J 163 

Ford,   J.   H 164 

Font,   Henry   H 151 

Fout,  .lulius  E 152 

Freed,   A.  D 164 

Fries,   W.   0 164 

Fries,   Jay   N 222 

Fulkerson,   J.   W 81,   153 

Funk,  Kingsley  192 

Funkhouser,  A.  P 203 

(ieeting.  G.  A 43 

German,  Immigration 21 

German  Language 90,  107 

German  Reformed  Church 8 

Gibbons,    J 190 

(ilossbrenner,  J.  J 72,  96,  147 

Glovier,  D.  F 165 

Great  Meeting,  The 66 

Gregory,  D.  T.* 165 

Grinmi,  J.  L. 165 


314 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Page 

Grimm,  J.  W 165 

Grove,  H.  J 166 

Gruver,  W.  F 166 

Hammack,  A.  S 166 

Harman,   G 166 

Haney,   J 87,    167 

Harp,    J. 167 

Hensley,    J.    L 167 

Hershey,  J.  M 86 

Hicks,  J.  W 168 

Hiestand,  S 152 

Hiser,  C.  W 168 

Hisey,  F 87 

Hoenshel,  E.  U 222 

Hoover,  A 168 

Hott,   C.  M 191 

Hott,  G.  P 169 

Hott,  J.  F 168 

Hott,  J.  H 169 

Hott,  J.  W 150 

Howe,  G.  W 170 

Howe,  J.  W ...170 

Huffman,  G 76,  172 

Huffman,   S.  J 173 

Hussites    3 

Hutzler,  C.  W 173 

Intoxicants    115 

Jones,    H 173 

.Tones,  W.  0 173 

Judy,  I.  M 173 

Ketterman,  J.   G 173 

Kiracofe,  J.  W 174 

Kiracofe,  N.  A 174 

Lawrence,  P,  J 174 

Ludwig,  S.  R 174 

Lutz,  L.  W 174 

McNamar,  J.   C 154 

McMullen,  E.  W 175 

McNeil,   W.   G 176 


Page 

Maiden,  A.  L 175 

Maiden,  J.  W 175 

Mann,  A.  B. 175 

Markwood,  J 71,  96,  150 

Martin,  W.  L 175 

Mennonites 17,  29 

Messick,   L.   H 176 

Methodists   106 

Miles,  J.  W 176 

Miller,   C 176 

Mitchell,  W.  D 176 

Missions,  Foreign 102 

Moravians 5,  105 

Music  102 

Negley,  J.  A 177 

Newcomer,  C. 49,  52 

Newcomer's  Journal 45-65 

Nihiser,  J.  W 177 

Nihiser,  R 190 

Obaugh,  W.  R 177 

Otterbein,  W 9-16,  107,  215 

Paid  Ministry,  The 99 

Perry,  J.  E. 77 

Perry,  J.  W 178 

Preachers,  Alphabetical  List.  .133 
Preachers,  Chronological  List.  124 
Preachers,  Early 68,  70,  85,  87 

Racey,   C.   J 178 

Racey,  L.  A 178 

Rau,  W.  S 178 

Religion  in  Early  America 33 

Rexroad,   G.  W 178 

Rhinehart,  W.  R 85 

Richardson,  H.  E. 179 

Ridenour,  J.  R. 179 

Rimel,   G.   R 78,   86 

Roderick.    L 179 

Roudabush,  G.  J 180 

Ruebush,   J 73,    180 

Ruebush,  J.  H 222 

Ruppenthal,  H.  P 182 


CHURCH  HISTORY 


315 


Page 

Salt,  M.  C 182 

Sampsell,  W.  H 182 

Schlatter,  Michael  11 

Scott,  J.  D 183 

Scott,   S 182 

Secret   Societies 119 

Secrist,  A.  J 183 

Sellars,  A.  S 154 

Senseny,  P. 183 

Shen.  Collegiate  Institute 220 

Shuey,  Christian 115,  148 

Shuey,  G.  A 184 

Skelton,  S.  D 184 

Slavery  113 

Smith,  W.  C 154 

Smith,  W.  H 184 

Snyder,  J.  F 184 

Spener,  P.  J 9 

Statton,  J.  F 83 

Statton,  G.  W 77 

Statton,  L  K 185 

Stickley,  B 74,  84 

Stover,  G.  W 186 

Tabb,  T.  B 186 


Pago 

Tallhelm  H 187 

Thomas,   P.  H : 187 

Tobacco   117 

Umstott,  Z 187 

Underwood,  I.  M 187 

United  Ministers,  The 35 

Waldensees   2 

Walters,  J.  W 188 

Walton,  A.  P 188 

Warner,  Z 152 

"We  Are  Brethren" 34 

Weller,  P.  W 188,  191 

WTiitesel,  P 190 

Whitesel,  J.  E. 191 

Widmyer,  J.  E 188,  191 

Wilt,  W.  A 189 

Wine,  S.  K 189 

Young,  R.  N 189 

Zahn,  J H4,  189 

Zehrung,  S 189 

Zinzendorf,  Count 5 


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